EP0938556A1 - Gamma-heregulin - Google Patents

Gamma-heregulin

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Publication number
EP0938556A1
EP0938556A1 EP97934059A EP97934059A EP0938556A1 EP 0938556 A1 EP0938556 A1 EP 0938556A1 EP 97934059 A EP97934059 A EP 97934059A EP 97934059 A EP97934059 A EP 97934059A EP 0938556 A1 EP0938556 A1 EP 0938556A1
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European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
hrg
cell
sequence
ser
nucleic acid
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Granted
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EP97934059A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0938556B1 (de
Inventor
Gabriele M. Schaefer
Mark Sliwkowski
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Genentech Inc
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Genentech Inc
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Priority claimed from PCT/US1997/011841 external-priority patent/WO1998002541A1/en
Publication of EP0938556A1 publication Critical patent/EP0938556A1/de
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/46—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates
    • C07K14/47—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals
    • C07K14/4701—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans from vertebrates from mammals not used
    • C07K14/4702—Regulators; Modulating activity
    • C07K14/4705—Regulators; Modulating activity stimulating, promoting or activating activity
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P25/00—Drugs for disorders of the nervous system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P29/00—Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P9/00—Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/475—Growth factors; Growth regulators
    • C07K14/4756—Neuregulins, i.e. p185erbB2 ligands, glial growth factor, heregulin, ARIA, neu differentiation factor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
    • C07K14/705—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants
    • C07K14/71—Receptors; Cell surface antigens; Cell surface determinants for growth factors; for growth regulators
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K19/00—Hybrid peptides, i.e. peptides covalently bound to nucleic acids, or non-covalently bound protein-protein complexes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K2319/00—Fusion polypeptide
    • C07K2319/30—Non-immunoglobulin-derived peptide or protein having an immunoglobulin constant or Fc region, or a fragment thereof, attached thereto

Definitions

  • This application relates to the discovery of a novel heregulin polypeptide called gamma-heregulin ( ⁇ -HRG) secreted by human breast cancer MDA-MB-175 cells, which has a unique N-terminal domain not present in hitherto-identified heregulins.
  • ⁇ -HRG gamma-heregulin
  • Protein tyrosine kinases are enzymes that catalyze this process. Receptor protein tyrosine kinases are believed to direct cellular growth via ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates.
  • Growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinases of the class I subfamily include the 170 kDa epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) encoded by the erbB ⁇ gene. erbBX has been causally implicated in human malignancy. In particular, increased expression of this gene has been observed in more aggressive carcinomas of the breast, bladder, lung and stomach.
  • EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor
  • the neu gene also called erbB2 and HER2 encodes a 185 kDa receptor protein tyrosine kinase.
  • Amplification and/or overexpression of the human HER2 gene correlates with a poor prognosis in breast and ovarian cancers (Siamon et ai, Science 235: 177-182 (1987); and Siamon et al, Science 244:707-712 (1989)).
  • Overexpression of HER2 has been correlated with other carcinomas including carcinomas of the stomach, endometrium, salivary gland, lung, kidney, colon and bladder.
  • Siamon et al. in US Pat No. 4,968,603 describe and claim various diagnostic assays for determining HER2 gene amplification or expression in tumor cells.
  • Siamon et al. discovered that the presence of multiple gene copies of HER2 oncogene in tumor cells indicates that the disease is more likely to spread beyond the primary tumor site, and that the disease may therefore require more aggressive treatment than might otherwise be indicated by other diagnostic factors.
  • Siamon et al. conclude that the HER2 gene amplification test, together with the determination of lymph node status, provides greatly improved prognostic utility.
  • erbB3 A further related gene, called erbB3 or HER3, has also been described. See US Pat. No. 5,183,884; Kraus et al. , Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 86:9193-9197 ( 1989); EP Pat Appln No 444,961 A 1 ; and Kraus et al. , Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:2900-2904 (1993). Kraus et al. (1989) discovered that markedly elevated levels of erbB3 mRNA were present in certain human mammary tumor cell lines indicating that erbB3, like erbBl and erbB2, may play a role in human malignancies. Also, Kraus et al.
  • the class I subfamily of growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinases has been further extended to include the HER4/Erb4 receptor. See EP Pat Appln No 599,274; Plowman et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90: 1746-1750 (1993); and Plowman et al, Nature 366:473-475 (1993). Plowman et at. found that increased HER4 expression closely correlated with certain carcinomas of epithelial origin, including breast adenocarcinomas. Diagnostic methods for detection of human neoplastic conditions (especially breast cancers) which evaluate HER4 expression are described in EP Pat Appln No. 599,274.
  • heregulins are substantially identical in the first 213 amino acid residues, they are classified into two major types, ⁇ and ⁇ , based on two variant EGF-like domains which differ in their C-terminal portions. Nevertheless, these EGF-like domains are identical in the spacing of six cysteine residues contained therein. Based on an amino acid sequence comparison, Holmes et al. found that between the first and sixth cysteines in the EGF-like domain, HRGs were 45% similar to heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB- EGF), 35% identical to amphiregulin (AR), 32% identical to TGF- ⁇ , and 27% identical to EGF.
  • HB- EGF heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor
  • AR amphiregulin
  • NDF The 44 kDa neu differentiation factor (NDF), which is the rat equivalent of human HRG, was first described by Peles et al. Cell, 69:205-216 (1992); and Wen et al. Cell, 69:559-572 (1992). Like the HRG polypeptides, NDF has an immunoglobulin (Ig) homology domain followed by an EGF-like domain and lacks a N-terminal signal peptide. Subsequently, Wen et al, Mol. Cell. Biol, 14(3): 1909-1919 (1994) carried out "exhaustive cloning" to extend the family of NDFs. This work revealed six distinct fibroblastic pro-NDFs.
  • Ig immunoglobulin
  • NDFs Adopting the nomenclature of Holmes et al, the NDFs are classified as either ⁇ or ⁇ polypeptides based on the sequences of the EGF-like domains. Isoforms 1 to 4 are characterized on the basis of the variable justamembrane stretch (between the EGF-like domain and trans embrane domain). Also, isoforms a, b and c are described which have variable length cytoplasmic domains. These researchers conclude that different NDF isoforms are generated by alternative splicing and perform distinct tissue-specific functions. See also EP 505 148; WO 93/22424; and WO 94/28133 concerning NDF.
  • ARIA acetylcholine receptor inducing activity
  • GGFs glial growth factors
  • SMDF sensory and motor neuron-derived factor
  • ErbB3 is a receptor for HRG and mediates phosphorylation of intrinsic tyrosine residues as well as phosphorylation of ErbB2 receptor in cells which express both receptors.
  • Sliwkowski et al, J. Biol Chem. 269(20): 14661-14665 (1994) found that cells transfected with HER3 alone show low affinities for heregulin, whereas cells transfected with both HER2 and HER3 show higher affinities.
  • Schwann cells constitute important glial cells which provide myehn sheathing around the axons of neurons, thereby forming individual nerve fibers
  • Schwann cells play an important role in the development, function and regeneration of peripheral nerves
  • Levi et al J Neuroscience 14(3) 1309-1319 ( 1994)
  • Levi et al discuss the potential for construction of a cellular prosthesis comprismg human Schwann cells which could be transplanted into areas of damaged sp al cord
  • Methods for cultu ⁇ ng Schwann cells ex vivo have been described See WO 94/00140 and Li et al , J Neuroscience 16(6) 2012-2019 (1996)
  • the invention relates to the discovery of the novel ⁇ -HRG polypeptide and nucleic acid This molecule, secreted by human breast cancer MDA-MB-175 cells, leads to the formation of a constitutive active receptor complex and stimulates the growth of these cells m an autoc ⁇ ne manner
  • the invention provides isolated ⁇ -HRG polypeptide
  • This ⁇ -HRG polypeptide is preferably substantially homogeneous and may be selected from the group consisting of a native sequence polypeptide (such as human ⁇ -HRG of Fig 1) and variant ⁇ -HRG (eg chimenc ⁇ -HRG) Additionally, the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide may be selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide that is isolated from a mammal (e.g. a human), the polypeptide that is made by recombinant means, and the polypeptide that is made by synthetic means. Accordingly, the polypeptide may be unassociated with native glycosylation or may be completely unglycosylated.
  • the isolated ⁇ -HRG possesses an effector function of human ⁇ -HRG of SEQ ID NO:2 and comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence for mature human ⁇ -HRG in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) the naturally occuring amino acid sequence for mature ⁇ -HRG from an animal species other than the sequence of (a); (c) naturally occurring allelic variants or isoforms of (a) or (b); and (d) the amino acid sequence of (a), (b) or (c) which has only one or two amino acid substitutions.
  • the invention further provides a composition (preferably one which is sterile) comprising ⁇ -HRG and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
  • the composition may be used in a method for activating an ErbB receptor which comprises the step of contacting a cell which expresses an ErbB receptor (which may be the same or different from the ErbB receptor to be activated) with the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide.
  • This method may be an in vitro one, e.g. where the cell is in cell culture or an in vivo method where the cell is present in a mammal (e.g. a human patient who could benefit from ErbB receptor activation).
  • the invention provides an in vitro or in vivo method for enhancing proliferation, differentiation or survival of a cell (especially where the cell expresses an ErbB receptor at its cell surface) comprising the step of contacting the cell with the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide.
  • the cell may, for example, be a glial cell or muscle cell.
  • the invention provides a method for detecting an ErbB receptor which comprises the step of contacting a sample suspected of containing the ErbB receptor with the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide (e.g. labelled ⁇ -HRG) and detecting if binding has occurred. In this manner, an assay for determining a prognosis in patients suffering from carcinoma (e.g. breast or ovarian carcinoma) is provided.
  • carcinoma e.g. breast or ovarian carcinoma
  • ⁇ -HRG has a unique N-terminal domain (NTD) which is not present in other heregulins.
  • NTD N-terminal domain
  • This NTD and fragments thereof (as well the nucleic acid encoding NTD or fragments thereof) is thought to be particularly useful for the production of ⁇ -HRG-specific reagents, e.g. anti-NTD antibodies for detecting and purifying ⁇ -HRG as well as nucleic acid probes.
  • the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a consecutive sequence of at least thirty amino acids of the ⁇ -HRG N-terminal domain (NTD) of SEQ ID NO:4 or one which comprises the amino acid sequence for mature ⁇ -HRG N-terminal domain (NTD) in SEQ ID NO:4.
  • the NTD-specific antibodies may be used, among other things, in a method for detecting ⁇ -HRG which comprises the step of contacting a sample suspected of containing ⁇ -HRG with the antibody (which is optionally labelled) and detecting if binding has occurred.
  • the antibody may also be used in a method for purifying ⁇ -HRG which comprises the step of passing a mixture containing ⁇ -HRG over a solid phase to which is bound the antibody and recovering the fraction containing ⁇ -HRG.
  • the nucleic acid encoding the NTD of ⁇ -HRG may be used to determine the presence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding ⁇ -HRG in a test sample (e.g.
  • Nucleic acid encoding t e NTD of ⁇ -HRG may also be used in hybridization assays to identify and isolate nucleic acids sharing substantial sequence identity to ⁇ -HRG
  • this NTD-encodmg nucleic acid can be used as a primer in a polymerase chain reaction for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule encoding ⁇ -HRG in a test sample
  • the invention also provides ⁇ -HRG-specific antagonists for use in methods where it is desirable to block ⁇ -HRG production and or biological activity either in vitro or in vivo
  • One type of antagonist is a neutralizing antibody which binds specifically to the NTD of ⁇ -HRG
  • Another type of antagonist is an antisense nucleic acid molecule, e g one which is complementary to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the
  • the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding ⁇ -HRG (and isolated antisense nucleic acid molecules, see above)
  • the nucleic acid molecule may be selected from the group consisting of (a) nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of the coding region of the mature ⁇ -HRG gene in SEQ ID NO 1, (b) nucleic acid corresponding to the sequence of (a) within the scope of degeneracy of the genetic code, and (c) nucleic acid which hybridizes to DNA complementary to DNA encoding the N-terminal domain (NTD) of human ⁇ -HRG of SEQ ID NO 2 under moderately stringent conditions and which encodes a polypeptide possessing an effector function of human ⁇ -HRG of SEQ ID NO 2
  • the isolated nucleic acid molecule optionally further comprises a promoter operably linked thereto
  • the invention provides a vector comprismg the nucleic acid molecule (e g an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule operably linked to control sequences recognized by a host cell transformed with the vector), a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule, and a method of using a nucleic acid molecule encodmg ⁇ -HRG to effect production of ⁇ -HRG which comprises the step of culturing the host cell and recovering ⁇ -HRG from the cell culture
  • the isolated nucleic acid may also be used for in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy
  • the invention provides a method for producing ⁇ -HRG comprising (a) transforming a cell containing an endogenous ⁇ -HRG gene with a homologous DNA comprismg an amplificable gene and a flanking sequence of at least about 150 base pairs that is homologous with a DNA sequence within or in proximity to the endogenous ⁇ -HRG gene, whereby the homologous DNA integrates into the cell genome by recombination, (b) culturing the cell under conditions that select for amplification of the amp fiable gene, whereby the ⁇ -HRG gene is also amplified, and thereafter (c) recovering ⁇ -HRG from the cell
  • the invention further provides a method for treating a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ⁇ -HRG to the mammal
  • the mammal may be suffering from a neurological or muscular disorder
  • the invention provides a method for treating a mammal comprismg administering
  • Fig. l depicts the cDNA (SEQ ID NO. l) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID N0.2) of ⁇ - HRG.
  • the hydrophobic region is underlined.
  • the EGF-like domain is shaded, cysteine residues in the EGF-like domain are circled. N-linked glycosylation sites are marked above the nucleic acid sequence with a (•).
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic comparison of different HRG isoforms. Boxes represent major structural motifs of various HRG isoforms. The structural features of ⁇ -HRG are compared with HRG ⁇ , SMDF and GGF.
  • the EGF-like domain is shown as a black box.
  • the juxtamembrane (numbered), the transmembrane (TM) region and the cytoplasmic domain are drawn as distinct boxes.
  • the glycosylated spacer domain separates the EGF-like domain from the Ig-like domain (Ig domain) in ⁇ -HRG, HRG ⁇ and SMDF.
  • the unique N-terminal sequence of ⁇ -HRG is striped.
  • the N-terminal regions of HRG ⁇ , SMDF and GGF are differently shaded.
  • GGF possesses a kringle-like motif (kringle) and a signal peptide sequence (SP) in the N- terminal region.
  • Fig.3 is a displacement curve of I-rHRG ⁇ 1 177-244 ) binding with unlabeled ⁇ -HRG.
  • ErbB3- or ErbB4-immunoadhesins were incubated with 5 I-rHRG ⁇ 177 . 2 44 ) (0.23 nM) and various amounts of ⁇ - HRG.
  • Figs. 4A and 4B show the effect of 2C4, 4D5 and ErbB4 i munoadhesins on proliferation of MDA- MB-175 (Fig. 4 A) and SK-BR-3 (Fig. 4B) cells.
  • MDA-MB-175 and SK-BR-3 cells were seeded in 96 well plates and allowed to adhere for 2 hours. Experiment was carried out in medium containing 1% serum.
  • Anti- ErbB2 antibodies, ErbB4-immunoadhesin (H4-lgG) or medium alone were added and the cells were incubated for 2 hours at 37°C.
  • rHRG ⁇ l(lnM) or lOOnM rHRG ⁇ 1 for neutralizing the H4-IgG effect or medium alone were added and the cells were incubated for 4 days. Monolayers were washed and stained/fixed with 0.5% crystal violet. To determine cell proliferation the absorbance was measured at 540 nm.
  • Fig. 5 is an alignment of the ⁇ -HRG amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) with the partial amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10) of the ⁇ -HRG isoform (clone 20) identifed in the Example.
  • Figs. 6A-C show an alignment of the ⁇ -HRG nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) with the partial nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1 1) of the ⁇ -HRG isoform (clone 20) identified in the Example.
  • ErbB when used herein refers to any one or more of the mammalian ErbB receptors (i.e. ErbBl or epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor; ErbB2 or HER2 receptor; ErbB3 or HER3 receptor; ErbB4 or HER4 receptor; and any other member(s) of this class I tyrosine kinase family to be identified in the future) and "erbB” refers to the mammalian erbB genes encoding these receptors.
  • EGF epidermal growth factor
  • ⁇ -HRG (or “gamma-hereguiin”) is defined herein to be any polypeptide sequence that possesses at least one biological property (as defined below) of native sequence ⁇ -HRG of SEQ ID NO: 2.
  • This definition encompasses not only the polypeptide isolated from a native ⁇ -HRG source such as human MDA- MB- 175 cells or from another source, such as another animal species, but also the polypeptide prepared by recombinant or synthetic methods. It also includes variant forms including functional derivatives, alielic variants, naturally occurring isoforms and analogues thereof.
  • the ⁇ -HRG is "native ⁇ -HRG” which refers to endogenous ⁇ -HRG polypeptide which has been isolated from a mammal.
  • the ⁇ -HRG can also be “native sequence ⁇ -HRG” insofar as it has the same amino acid sequence as a native ⁇ -HRG (e.g. human ⁇ - HRG shown in Fig. 1).
  • “native sequence ⁇ -HRG” encompasses the polypeptide produced by recombinant or synthetic means.
  • “Mature ⁇ -HRG” is soluble or secreted ⁇ -HRG released from the cell (i.e. lacking amino-terminal sequence).
  • ⁇ -HRG "isoforms" are naturally occurring polypeptides which comprise at least part of the N-terminal domain (see below) of ⁇ -HRG.
  • An example of a ⁇ -HRG isoform is described in the Example below.
  • the ⁇ -HRG is not associated with native glycosylation.
  • Native glycosylation refers to the carbohydrate moieties which are covalently attached to native ⁇ -HRG when it is produced in the mammalian cell from which the native ⁇ -HRG is derived. Accordingly, human ⁇ -HRG produced in a non- human cell could be described as not being associated with native glycosylation, for example. Sometimes, the ⁇ -HRG is not associated with any glycosylation whatsoever (e.g.
  • ⁇ -HRG has a unique amino terminal domain which distinguishes this protein from previously described heregulin polypeptides. This is designated the "N-terminal domain” or “NTD” herein (i.e. from about residue 1 to about residue 560 of Fig. I ; SEQ ID NO:4 encoded by the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3).
  • NTD NTD released from the cell surface.
  • the expression “NTD” includes functional equivalents of the NTD depicted in Fig. 1.
  • ⁇ -HRG variant encompasses ⁇ -HRG polypeptides wherein one or more amino acid residues are added at the N- or C-terminus of, or within, the ⁇ -HRG sequence of Fig. 1 ; one or more amino acid residues are deleted, and optionally substituted by one or more amino acid residues; and derivatives of the above polypeptides, wherein an amino acid residue has been covalently modified so that the resulting product has a non-naturally occurring amino acid.
  • a biologically active ⁇ -HRG variant will be "substantially homologous" to the amino acid sequence of Fig. 1 and therefore will generally have an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% amino acid sequence identity with human ⁇ -HRG shown in Fig.
  • ⁇ -HRG variant is a " ⁇ -HRG fragment", which is a portion of a naturally occurring full- length ⁇ -HRG sequence having one or more amino acid residues or carbohydrate units deleted.
  • the deleted amino acid residue(s) may occur anywhere in the polypeptide, including at either the N-terminal or C-terminal end or internally.
  • the fragment will usually share at least one biological property in common with ⁇ -HRG.
  • ⁇ -HRG fragments will have a consecutive sequence of at least 20, 30, 40, 50, or 100 amino acid residues of the NTD of ⁇ -HRG.
  • the preferred fragments have about 30- 150 residues which are identical to the sequence of human ⁇ -HRG in SEQ ID NO:2.
  • ⁇ -HRG variant is "chimeric ⁇ -HRG", which term encompasses a polypeptide comprising full-length ⁇ -HRG or a fragment thereof fused or bonded to a heterologous polypeptide.
  • the chimera will normally share at least one biological property in common with ⁇ -HRG.
  • chimeric ⁇ -HRGs include immunoadhesins and epitope tagged ⁇ -HRG.
  • the heterologous polypeptide is thioredoxin, a salvage receptor binding epitope, cytotoxic polypeptide or enzyme (e.g., one which converts a prodrug to an active drug).
  • immunoadhesin is used interchangeably with the expression " ⁇ -HRG-immunoglobulin chimera” and refers to a chimeric molecule that combines a biologically active portion of the ⁇ -HRG with an immunoglobulin sequence.
  • the immunoglobulin sequence preferably, but not necessarily, is an immunoglobulin constant domain.
  • the immunoglobulin moiety in the chimeras of the present invention may be obtained from IgG ) ( IgG 2 , lgG 3 or IgG 4 subtypes, IgA, IgE, IgD or IgM, but preferably IgG ] or IgG .
  • epitope tagged when used herein refers to a chimeric polypeptide comprising the entire ⁇ -HRG, or a fragment thereof, fused to a "tag polypeptide".
  • the tag polypeptide has enough residues to provide an epitope against which an antibody thereagainst can be made, yet is short enough such that it does not interfere with activity of the ⁇ -HRG.
  • the tag polypeptide preferably is fairly unique so that the antibody thereagainst does not substantially cross-react with other epitopes.
  • Suitable tag polypeptides generally have at least 6 amino acid residues and usually between about 8-50 amino acid residues (preferably between about 9-30 residues).
  • the term "salvage receptor binding epitope” refers to an epitope of the Fc region of an IgG molecule (e.g., IgG j , IgG 2 , IgG 3 , or IgG 4 ) that is responsible for increasing the in vivo serum half-life of the IgG molecule.
  • cytotoxic agent refers to a substance that inhibits or prevents the function of cells and/or causes destruction of cells.
  • the term is intended to include radioactive isotopes (e.g. I, Y, Pr), chemotherapeutic agents, and toxins such as enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragments thereof.
  • the term includes oncogene product/tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as the bicyclic ansamycins disclosed in WO 94 22867; 1 ,2-bis(arylamino) benzoic acid derivatives disclosed in EP 600832; 6.7-diamino-phthalazin- 1 -one derivatives disclosed in EP 600831 ; 4,5-bis(arylamino)-phthalimide derivatives as disclosed in EP 516598; or peptides which inhibit binding of a tyrosine kinase to a SH2- containing substrate protein (see WO 94/07913, for example).
  • oncogene product/tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as the bicyclic ansamycins disclosed in WO 94 22867; 1 ,2-bis(arylamino) benzoic acid derivatives disclosed in EP 600832; 6.7-diamino-phthalazin- 1 -one derivatives disclosed in EP 600831 ; 4,5-
  • a “chemotherapeutic agent” is a chemical compound useful in the treatment of cancer.
  • chemotherapeutic agents include Adria ycin, Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Cytosine arabinoside (Ara- C), Cyclophosphamide, Thiotepa, Busulfan, Cytoxin, Taxol, Methotrexate, Cisplatin, Melphalan, Vinblastine, Bleomycin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide, Mitomycin C, Mitoxantrone, Vincristine, VP-16, Vinorelbine, Carboplatin, Teniposide, Daunomycin, Carminomycin, Aminopterin, Dactinomycin, Mitomycins, Nicotinamide, Esperamicins (see U.S.
  • prodrug refers to a precursor or derivative form of a pharmaceutically active substance that is less cytotoxic to tumor cells compared to the parent drug and is capable of being enzymatically activated or converted into the more active parent form.
  • the prodrugs of this invention include, but are not limited to, phosphate-containing prodrugs, thiophosphate-containing prodrugs, sulfate-containing prodrugs, peptide-containing prodrugs, D-amino acid-modified prodrugs, glycosylated prodrugs, ⁇ -lactam-containing prodrugs, optionally substituted phenoxyacetamide-containing prodrugs or optionally substituted phenylacetamide-containing prodrugs, 5-fluorocytosine and other 5-fiuorouridine prodrugs which can be converted into the more active cytotoxic free drug.
  • cytotoxic drugs that can be derivatized into a prodrug form for use in this invention include, but are not limited to, those chemotherapeutic agents described above.
  • Isolated ⁇ -HRG "highly purified ⁇ -HRG” and “substantially homogeneous ⁇ -HRG” are used interchangeably and mean ⁇ -HRG that has been purified from a ⁇ -HRG source or has been prepared by recombinant or synthetic methods and is sufficiently free of other peptides or proteins (a) to obtain at least 15 and preferably 20 amino acid residues of the N-terminal or of an internal amino acid sequence by using a spinning cup sequenator or the best commercially available amino acid sequenator marketed or as modified by published methods as of the filing date of this application, or (b) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE under non- reducing or reducing conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably, silver stain. Homogeneity here means less than about 5% contamination with other source proteins.
  • Bio property when used in conjunction with " ⁇ -HRG” means having an effector or antigenic function or activity that is directly or indirectly caused or performed by native sequence ⁇ -HRG of SEQ ID NO: 2 (whether in its native or denatured conformation).
  • Effective functions include receptor activation (e.g. activation of the ErbB2. ErbB3 and/or ErbB4 receptor); enhancement of survival, differentiation and/or proliferation of cells having one or more of these receptors (e.g. SK-BR-3 cells, Schwann cells, hepatocytes, glioblastoma cells, epithelial cells, muscle cells, astrocytes and or oligodendrocytes); receptor binding (e.g. to the ErbB2. ErbB3 and/or ErbB4 receptor); mitogenic activity; inducing formation of ion channels (e.g.
  • an "antigenic function” means possession of an epitope or antigenic site that is capable of cross- reacting with antibodies raised against the unique N-terminal domain (NTD) of native sequence ⁇ -HRG, wherein such antibodies do not significantly cross-react with other known heregulin polypeptides.
  • NTD N-terminal domain
  • the principal antigenic function of a ⁇ -HRG polypeptide is that it binds with an affinity of at least about 10 6 L/mole to an antibody which binds specifically to the NTD of ⁇ -HRG. Ordinarily, the polypeptide binds with an affinity of at least about 10 7 L/mole.
  • Bioly active when used in conjunction with " ⁇ -HRG” means a ⁇ -HRG polypeptide that exhibits or shares an effector function of native sequence ⁇ -HRG and that may (but need not) in addition possess an antigenic function.
  • Antigenically active ⁇ -HRG is defined as a polypeptide that possesses an antigenic function of ⁇ - HRG and that may (but need not) in addition possess an effector function.
  • Percent amino acid sequence identity with respect to the ⁇ -HRG sequence is defined herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in the candidate sequence that are identical with the residues in the ⁇ -HRG sequence having the deduced amino acid sequence described in Fig. 1 , after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. None of N-terminal, C-terminal, or internal extensions, deletions, or insertions into the ⁇ -HRG sequence shall be construed as affecting sequence identity or homology.
  • cancer and “cancerous” refer to or describe the physiological condition in mammals that is typically characterized by unregulated cell growth.
  • Examples of cancer include but are not limited to, carcinoma, lymphoma, blasto a, sarcoma, and leukemia.
  • cancers include squamous cell cancer, small-cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, glial cell tumors such as glioblastoma and neurofibromatosis, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, kidney cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, vulval cancer, thyroid cancer, hepatic carcinoma and various types of head and neck cancer.
  • glial cell tumors such as glioblastoma and neurofibromatosis
  • cervical cancer ovarian cancer
  • liver cancer bladder cancer
  • hepatoma hepatoma
  • breast cancer colon cancer
  • colorectal cancer endometrial carcinoma
  • salivary gland carcinoma salivary gland carcinoma
  • kidney cancer renal cancer
  • prostate cancer prostate cancer
  • vulval cancer thyroid cancer
  • hepatic carcinoma various types of head and neck cancer.
  • Determining disease status refers to the act of determining likelihood of patient survival and time to relapse for neoplastic diseases, particularly breast, ovarian, stomach, endometrial, salivary gland, lung, kidney, colon, and bladder carcinomas.
  • ⁇ -HRG can be used to quantify erbB (e.g. , erbB2. erbB3 or erbB4, but normally erbB2) overexpression in cancerous tissue taken from a patient suffering from carcinoma. This can also be referred to as "determining the proper course of treatment for patients suffering from cancer". For example, those patients characterized by erbB2 overexpression may require more aggressive treatment (e.g. chemo- or radiotherapy treatment) than might otherwise be indicated by other diagnostic factors.
  • sample refers to tissue, body fluid, or a cell from a patient. Normally, the tissue or cell will be removed from the patient, but in vivo diagnosis is also contemplated.
  • a tissue sample can be taken from a surgically removed tumor and prepared for testing by conventional techniques.
  • lymphomas and leukemias lymphocytes, leukemic cells, or lymph tissues will be obtained and appropriately prepared.
  • Other patient samples including urine, tear drops, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, feces, sputum, cell extracts etc will also be useful for particular tumors.
  • labelled when used herein refers to a molecule (e.g. ⁇ -HRG or anti- ⁇ -HRG antibody) which has been conjugated, directly or indirectly, with a detectable compound or composition.
  • the label may be detectable by itself (eg. radioisotope labels or fluorescent labels) or, in the case of an enzymatic label, may catalyze a chemical alteration of a substrate compound or composition which is detectable.
  • solid phase is meant a non-aqueous matrix to which a reagent of interest (e.g., ⁇ -HRG or an antibody thereto) can adhere.
  • solid phases encompassed herein include those formed partially or entirely of glass (e.g., controlled pore glass), polysaccharides (e.g., agarose), polyacrylamides, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol and silicones.
  • the solid phase can comprise the well of an assay plate; in others it is a purification column (e.g., an affinity chromatography column).
  • This term also includes a discontinuous solid phase of discrete particles, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,275, 149.
  • activating an ErbB receptor refers to the act of causing the intracellular kinase domain of an ErbB receptor to phosphorylate tyrosine residues. Generally, this will involve binding of ⁇ -HRG to an receptor complex of two or more ErbB receptors (e.g., an ErbB2/ErbB3 or ErbB2/ErbB4 complex) which activates a kinase domain of one or more of those receptors and thereby results in phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in one or more of the receptors, and/or phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in additional substrate polypeptides(s).
  • an ErbB2/ErbB3 or ErbB2/ErbB4 complex which activates a kinase domain of one or more of those receptors and thereby results in phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in one or more of the receptors, and/or phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in additional substrate polypeptides(
  • ErbB receptor phosphorylation can be quantified using the tyrosine phosphorylation assays described below.
  • the expression "enhancing survival of a cell” refers to the act of increasing the period of existence of a cell, relative to an untreated cell which has not been exposed to ⁇ -HRG, either in vitro or in vivo.
  • the phrase "enhancing proliferation of a cell” encompasses the step of increasing the extent of growth and/or reproduction of the cell, relative to an untreated cell, either in vitro or in vivo.
  • An increase in cell proliferation in cell culture can be detected by counting the number of cells before and after exposure to ⁇ - HRG (see the Example below).
  • the extent of proliferation can be quantified via microscopic examination of the degree of confluency.
  • Cell proliferation can also be quantified by measuring 3 H uptake by the cells.
  • enhancing differentiation of a cell is meant the act of increasing the extent of the acquisition or possession of one or more characteristics or functions which differ from that of the original cell (i.e. cell specialization). This can be detected by screening for a change in the phenotype of the cell (e.g. identifying morphological changes in the cell).
  • a "glial cell” is derived from the central and peripheral nervous system and can be selected from oligodendroglial, astrocyte, ependymal, or microglial cells as well as satellite cells of ganglia and the neurolemmal or Schwann cells around peripheral nerve fibers.
  • Muscle cells include skeletal, cardiac or smooth muscle tissue cells. This term encompasses those cells which differentiate to form more specialized muscle cells (e.g. myoblasts).
  • isolated ⁇ -HRG nucleic acid is RNA or DNA free from at least one contaminating source nucleic acid with which it is normally associated in the natural source and preferably substantially free of any other mammalian RNA or DNA.
  • free from at least one contaminating source nucleic acid with which it is normally associated includes the case where the nucleic acid is present in the source or natural cell but is in a different chromosomal location or is otherwise flanked by nucleic acid sequences not normally found in the source cell.
  • isolated ⁇ -HRG nucleic acid is RNA or DNA that encodes a biologically active ⁇ -HRG sharing at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, still more preferably at least 85%, even more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95% sequence identity with the human ⁇ -HRG shown in Fig. 1.
  • “Stringent conditions” are those that (a) employ low ionic strength and high temperature for washing, for example, 0.015 M NaCI/0.00I5 M sodium citrate/0.1% NaDodS0 4 (SDS) at 50° C, or (b) employ during hybridization a denaturing agent such as formamide, for example, 50% (vol/vol) formamide with 0.1 % bovine serum albumin/0.1% Ficoll/0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone/50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 with 750 mM NaCl, 75 mM sodium citrate at 42° C.
  • a denaturing agent such as formamide, for example, 50% (vol/vol) formamide with 0.1 % bovine serum albumin/0.1% Ficoll/0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone/50 mM sodium phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 with 750 mM NaCl, 75 mM sodium citrate at 42° C.
  • Another example is use of 50% formamide, 5 x SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 0.075 M sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 6.8), 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate, 5 x Denhardt's solution, sonicated salmon sperm DNA (50 ⁇ g/mL), 0 1% SDS, and 10% dextran sulfate at 42° C, with washes at 42° C m 0 2 x SSC and 0 1% SDS
  • Modely stringent conditions are described in Sambrook et al , Molecular Cloning A Laboratory Manual (New York Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989), and include the use of a washing solution and hybridization conditions (e g , temperature, ionic strength, and %SDS) less stringent than described above
  • An example of moderately stringent conditions is a condition such as overnight incubation at 37° C in a solution comprising 20% formamide, 5 x SSC (150 mM NaCl, 15 mM t ⁇ sodium citrate), 50 mM sodium phosphate (pH 7 6), 5 x Denhardt's solution, 10% dextran sulfate, and 20 mg/mL denatured sheared salmon sperm DNA, followed by washmg the filters in 1 x SSC at about 37-50°C
  • the skilled artisan will recognize how to adjust the temperature, ionic strength, etc , as necessary to accommodate factors such as probe length and the like
  • control sequences refers to DNA sequences necessary for the expression of an operably linked coding sequence in a particular host organism
  • the control sequences that are suitable for prokaryotes, for example, include a promoter, optionally an operator sequence, and a ⁇ bosome binding site
  • Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, polyadenylation signals, and enhancers
  • Nucleic acid is "operably linked" when it is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence
  • DNA for a presequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for a polypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in the secretion of the polypeptide
  • a promoter or enhancer is operably linked to a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence
  • a ⁇ bosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it is positioned so as to facilitate translation
  • "operably linked” means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in the case of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase
  • enhancers do not have to be contiguous Linking is accomplished by hgation at convenient restriction sites If such sites do not exist, the synthetic oiigonucleotide adaptors or link
  • a ⁇ -HRG "antagonist” is a molecule which prevents, or interferes with, a ⁇ -HRG effector function (e g a molecule which prevents or interferes with binding and/or activation of an ErbB receptor by ⁇ -HRG)
  • a ⁇ -HRG effector function e g a molecule which prevents or interferes with binding and/or activation of an ErbB receptor by ⁇ -HRG
  • Such molecules can be screened for their ability to competitively inhibit ErbB receptor activation by ⁇ -HRG in the tyrosine phosphorylation assay disclosed herein, for example Preferred antagonists are those which do not substantially interfere with the interaction of other heregulin polypeptides with ErbB receptor(s)
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonists include neutralizing antibodies against ⁇ -HRG and antisense polynucleotides against the ⁇ -HRG gene
  • antisense o godeoxynucleotide and “antisense ohgo” refer to a polynucleotide which hybridizes with an area of ⁇ -HRG mRNA or DNA and thereby prevents or reduces production of ⁇ -HRG polypeptide in vitro or in vivo
  • Preferred antisense polynucleotides are those which are complementary to at least a portion of the ⁇ -HRG NTD-coding region of Fig 1 This term encompasses "modified" polynucleotides, examples of which are described herein
  • antibody is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers single anti- ⁇ -HRG monoclonal antibodies and anti- ⁇ -HRG antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity (including neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies)
  • the antibody of particular interest herein is one which does not significantly cross-react with other known heregulin proteins, such as those described in the background section above and thus is one which "binds specifically" to ⁇ -HRG.
  • antibodies which bind to the unique NTD of ⁇ -HRG may be particularly useful.
  • the extent of binding of the antibody to non- ⁇ - HRG proteins will be less than 10% as determined by radioimmunoprecipitation (RIA), for example.
  • RIA radioimmunoprecipitation
  • monoclonal antibody refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally-occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen.
  • the monoclonal antibodies herein include hybrid and recombinant antibodies produced by splicing a variable (including hypervariable) domain of an anti- ⁇ -HRG antibody with a constant domain (e.g. "humanized” antibodies), or a light chain with a heavy chain, or a chain from one species with a chain from another species, or fusions with heterologous proteins, regardless of species of origin or immunoglobulin class or subclass designation, as well as antibody fragments (e.g., Fab, F(ab) 2 , and Fv), so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.
  • Fab fragment antigen
  • F(ab) 2 e.g., F(ab) 2 , and Fv
  • the modifier "monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method.
  • the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler & Milstein, Nature 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567).
  • the “monoclonal antibodies” may also be isolated from phage libraries generated using the techniques described in McCafferty et al, Nature 348:552-554 (1990), for example. "Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g.
  • antibodies are specific chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab) 2 or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin.
  • humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the recipient antibody are replaced by residues from the CDRs of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity.
  • CDRs complementarity determining regions
  • donor antibody such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity and capacity.
  • Fv framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human FR residues.
  • the humanized antibody may comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or FR sequences. These modifications are made to further refine and optimize antibody performance.
  • the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one. and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR residues are those of a human immunoglobulin consensus sequence.
  • the humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin.
  • Fc immunoglobulin constant region
  • neutralizing antibody is meant an antibody molecule as herein defined which is able to block or significantly reduce an effector function of native sequence ⁇ -HRG.
  • a neutralizing antibody may inhibit or reduce the ability of ⁇ -HRG to activate an ErbB receptor in the tyrosine phosphorylation assay described herein.
  • the neutralizing antibody may also block the mitogenic activity of ⁇ -HRG in the cell proliferation assay disclosed herein.
  • Treatment refers to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. Those in need of treatment include those already with the disorder as well as those prone to have the disorder or those in which the disorder is to be prevented.
  • mammal for purposes of treatment refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as sheep, dogs, horses, cats, cows, etc Preferably, the mammal herein is human.
  • “Pharmaceutically acceptable” carriers, excipients, or stabilizers are ones which arc nontoxic to the cell or mammal being exposed thereto at the dosages and concentrations employed. Often the physiologically acceptable carrier is an aqueous pH buffered solution.
  • physiologically acceptable carriers include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, ordextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as TweenTM, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PluronicsTM.
  • buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids
  • antioxidants including ascorbic acid
  • low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides proteins, such as serum album
  • a “liposome” is a small vesicle composed of various types of lipids, phospholipids and/or surfactant which is useful for delivery of a drug to a mammal.
  • the components of the liposome are commonly arranged in a bilayer formation, similar to the lipid arrangement of biological membranes.
  • ⁇ -HRG The DNA and amino acid sequences of human ⁇ -HRG are depicted in Fig. 1. It is contemplated that the novel ⁇ -HRG described herein may be a member of a family of growth factors having suitable sequence identity that their DNA may hybridize to the DNA in the unique N-terminal domain (NTD) of Fig. 1 (or fragments thereof) under moderately stringent to stringent conditions.
  • NTD unique N-terminal domain
  • Fig. 5 An example of such ⁇ -HRG variant is the isoform shown in Fig. 5.
  • a further aspect of this invention includes DNA which hybridizes under moderately stringent to stringent conditions with the DNA encoding the NTD of ⁇ -HRG. Techniques for isolating such native sequence ⁇ -HRG molecules and making variant ⁇ -HRG follow.
  • ⁇ -HRG Techniques suitable for the production of ⁇ -HRG are well known in the art and include isolating ⁇ - HRG from an endogenous source of the polypeptide, peptide synthesis (using a peptide synthesizer) and recombinant techniques (or any combination of these techniques).
  • the preferred technique for production of ⁇ -HRG is a recombinant technique to be described below. See also U.S. Patent 5,364,934 with respect to vectors, host cells, etc for the recombinant production of ⁇ -HRG.
  • the DNA encoding ⁇ -HRG is isolated (e g from a cDNA library as disclosed in Example 1 below) and operably linked to other nucleic acid in a suitable vector
  • the DNA thus isolated may be mutated so as to enhance expression depending on the expression system selected For example, nucleotide substitutions may be made which avoid 5' stem and loop structures in the transcribed mRNA and/or to provide condons that are more readily transcribed by the selected host (e g the well-known preference codons for E colt or yeast expression)
  • the vector is a plasmid or other DNA that is capable of replicating within a host cell and can be used for cloning (/ e to produce usable quantities of the nucleic acid) and/or to direct expression of ⁇ -HRG Vector design depends, among other things, on the intended use and host cell for the vector
  • the vector components generally include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following an N-termmal signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or
  • a particularly useful plasmid for mammalian cell culture production of ⁇ -HRG is pRK5 (EP 307,247) and derivatives thereof, or pSVI6B (WO 91/08291 published 13 June 1991)
  • Another useful vector is disclosed in WO 96/04391
  • a host cell is generally transformed with the vector Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the vectors herein are prokaryote host cells (such as E coli, strains of Bacillus, Pseudomonas and other bacteria), yeast and other eukaryotic microbes, and higher eukaryote cells (such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and other mammalian cells)
  • the cells may also be present in live animals (for example, in cows, goats or sheep) Insect cells may also be used
  • Cloning and expression methodologies are well known in the art
  • To obtain expression of ⁇ -HRG an expression vector is introduced into host cells by transformation or transfection and the
  • transient expression involves the use of an expression vector that is able to efficiently replicate in a host cell, such that the host cell accumulates many copies of the expression vector and, in turn, synthesizes high levels of a desired polypeptide encoded by the expression vector
  • Transient expression systems comprising a suitable expression vector and a host cell, allow for the convenient positive identification of polypeptides encoded by cloned DNAs, as well as for the rapid screening of such polypeptides for desired biological or physiological properties
  • the ⁇ -HRG of this invention may be produced by homologous recombination, as provided for in WO 91/06667, published 16 May 1991 Briefly, this method involves transforming a cell containing an endogenous ⁇ -HRG gene with a homologous DNA, which homologous DNA comprises (a) an amplifiable gene (e g a gene
  • Ammo acid sequence variants of native sequence ⁇ -HRG are prepared by introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into the native sequence ⁇ -HRG DNA, or by in vitro synthesis of the desired ⁇ -HRG polypeptide
  • Such variants include, for example, deletions from, or insertions or substitutions of, residues in the amino acid sequence shown for human ⁇ -HRG in Fig 1
  • the ammo acid changes also may alter post- translational processes of the native sequence ⁇ -HRG, such as changing the number or position of N- and/or O-linked glycosylation sites. Potential N-linked glycosylation sites are shown in Fig. 1. Generally, the Asn residue will be replaced with a Gin, but other substitutions or deletions are possible.
  • a useful method for identification of certain residues or regions of the native ⁇ -HRG polypeptide that are preferred locations for mutagenesis is "alanine scanning utagenesis" as described by Cunningham and Wells, Science 244: 1081 -1085 ( 1989).
  • Amino acid sequence deletions generally range from about 1 to 30 residues, more preferably about 1 to 10 residues, and typically are contiguous. Contiguous deletions ordinarily are made in even numbers of residues, but single or odd numbers of deletions are within the scope hereof. Deletions may be introduced into regions of low homology among various mammalian ⁇ -HRGs to modify the activity of ⁇ -HRG. Deletions from ⁇ -HRG in the EGF-like domain will be more likely to modify the biological activity of ⁇ -HRG more significantly.
  • An exemplary ⁇ -HRG deletion mutant is ⁇ -HRG with residues 749-768 in Fig. 1 deleted.
  • exemplary deletions include native sequence ⁇ -HRG with one or more of the N-linked glycosylation sites identified in Fig.l deleted and/or any one or more of the residues associated with the potential protease cleavage sites removed (i.e. any one or more of residues 41 1-414, 440-441 , 481-482, 500-501 , 606-607 removed) and/or with any one or more cysteine residues removed.
  • Regions of interest in the ⁇ -HRG amino acid sequence of Fig. 1 include residues 1 -748 (i.e. ⁇ -HRG lacking the ⁇ 3 C-terminal domain); 1-703 (i.e. ⁇ -HRG lacking the EGF-like domain); l-569 ( .e.
  • ⁇ -HRG lacking the EGF-like domain and spacer domain l -560 (/.e. ⁇ -HRG lacking the EGF-like domain, spacer domain and Ig domain); 342-363 (the hydrophobic region); 364- 560; 364-768; 41 1 -560; 41 1 -768; 412-560; 412-768; 413-560; 413-768; 414-560; 414-768; 415-560; 415-768; 441-560; 441-768; 482-560; 482-768; 501-560; 501 -768; 607-560; 607-768.
  • These regions can be used in the production of ⁇ -HRG polypeptides which consist essentially of, or comprise, these regions.
  • deletion mutants may further comprise additional internal deletions and/or substitutions and/or may be fused to a heterologous polypeptide, e.g., an immunogenic polypeptide, for use in generating anti- ⁇ -HRG antibodies.
  • heterologous polypeptide e.g., an immunogenic polypeptide
  • These mutants may also comprise an additional carboxyl or amino-terminal amino acid residue (e.g. an a ino- terminal methionyl residue).
  • Amino acid sequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxy 1-terminal fusions ranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundred or more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single or multiple amino acid residues.
  • Intrasequence insertions i.e., insertions within the mature ⁇ -HRG sequence
  • Insertions are preferably made in even numbers of residues, but this is not required.
  • Examples of terminal insertions include ⁇ -HRG with an N-terminal methionyl residue, an artifact of the direct production of ⁇ -HRG in recombinant cell culture.
  • a preferred type of insertion variant is chimeric ⁇ -HRG.
  • Fusion proteins comprising ⁇ -HRG linked to a heterologous polypeptide can be constructed using recombinant DNA techniques, or the heterologous polypeptide can be covalently bound to the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide by techniques well known in the art such as the use of the heterobifunctional crosslinking reagents.
  • Exemplary coupling agents include N-succinimidyl-3- (2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP), iminothiolane (IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate), aldehydes (such as glutareldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis (p-azidobenzoyl) hexanediamine), bis-diazoniu derivatives (such as bis-(p- d ⁇ azon ⁇ umbenzoyl)-ethylened ⁇ am ⁇ ne), dnsocyanates (such as tolyene 2,6-d ⁇ socyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as l ,5-d ⁇ fluoro-2,4-d ⁇ n ⁇ trobenzene)
  • imidoesters such as dimethyl adipimidate HCL
  • active esters
  • Chimeric ⁇ -HRG polypeptides include fusions of ⁇ -HRG with immunogenic polypeptides, e g , bacterial polypeptides such as ⁇ -lactamase or an enzyme encoded by the E coli trp locus, or yeast protein, and fusions with proteins such as albumin, or ferritm, as described in WO 89/02922 published 6 April 1989
  • immunogenic polypeptides e g
  • bacterial polypeptides such as ⁇ -lactamase or an enzyme encoded by the E coli trp locus, or yeast protein
  • proteins such as albumin, or ferritm
  • the chimeric polypeptide comprises a fusion of the ⁇ -HRG (or a fragment thereof) with a tag polypeptide which provides an epitope to which an anti-tag antibody can selectively bind
  • the epitope tag is generally proved at the amino- or carboxyl- terminus of the ⁇ -HRG
  • Such epitope tagged forms of the ⁇ -HRG are desirable, as the presence thereof can be detected using a labelled antibody against the tag polypeptide
  • provision of the epitope tag enables the ⁇ -HRG to be readily purified by affinity purification using the anti-tag antibody Tag polypeptides and their respective antibodies are well known in the art Examples include the flu HA tag polypeptide and its antibody 12CA5, (Field et al , Mol Cell Biol 8 2159- 2165 (1988)), the c-myc tag and the 8F9, 3C7, 6E10, G4, B7 and 9EI0 antibodies thereto (Evan et al , Molecular and Cellular Biology 5(12
  • the chimeric ⁇ -HRG may also comprise an immunoadhesin having a longer half-life than native ⁇ - HRG Immunoadhesins constructed from a polypeptide linked to a heterologous immunoglobulin constant domain sequence are known in the art The simplest and most straightforward immunoadhesin design combines ⁇ -HRG with the hinge and
  • nucleic acid encoding the ⁇ -HRG, or a fragment thereof will be fused C- terminally to nucleic acid encoding the N-terminus of an immunoglobulin constant domain sequence, however N-termmal fusions are also possible
  • the encoded chimeric polypeptide will retain at least functionally active hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains of the constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain Fusions are also made to the C-terminus of the Fc portion of a constant domain, or immediately N- ter mal to the CH 1 of the heavy chain or the corresponding region of the light chain Chimeric ⁇ -HRG is most conveniently constructed by fusing the cDNA sequence encoding the ⁇ -HRG portion in-frame to the tag polypeptide or immunoglobulin DNA sequence, for example, and expressing the resultant DNA fusion construct
  • ⁇ -HRG fused with a cytotoxic polypeptide (e g an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragments thereof)
  • a cytotoxic polypeptide e g an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, or fragments thereof
  • the toxin may be covalently attached to isolated ⁇ -HRG
  • Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof which can be used include diphtheria A chain, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A chain (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricm A (e g ricin A chain), ab ⁇ n A chain, modecci ⁇ A chain, alpha-sarcm, Aleuntes fordu proteins, dianthin proteins, Phytolaca americana proteins (PAPI, PAPII, and PAP-S), momordica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crot
  • Enzymes that are useful in the method of this invention include, but are not limited to, alkaline phosphatase useful for converting phosphate-containing prodrugs into free drugs, arylsulfatase useful for converting sulfate-containing prodrugs into free drugs, cytosine deammase useful for converting non-toxic 5- fluorocytosine into the anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorourac ⁇ I; proteases, such as serratia protease, thermolysin, subtilism, carboxypeptidases and cathepsins (such as cathepsins B and L), that are useful for converting peptide-containing prodrugs into free drugs, D-alanylcarboxypeptidases, useful for converting prodrugs that contain D-amino acid substituents; carbohydrate-cleaving enzymes such as ⁇ -galactosidase and neuraminidase useful for converting glycosylated prodrugs into free drugs; ⁇ -
  • antibodies with enzymatic activity can be used to convert the prodrugs of the invention into free active drugs (see, e g , Massey, Nature 328:457-458 (1987)).
  • chimeric polypeptide is ⁇ -HRG fused to a salvage receptor binding epitope
  • Such chimeric molecules may have enhanced serum half-lives when compared to native sequence ⁇ -HRG
  • a systematic method for preparing such a chimeric polypeptide having an increased in vivo half-life comprises several steps The first involves identifying the sequence and conformation of a salvage receptor binding epitope of an Fc region of an IgG molecule. Once this epitope is identified, the sequence of the ⁇ - HRG is modified to include the sequence and conformation of the identified binding epitope After the sequence is mutated, the ⁇ -HRG variant is tested to see if it has a longer in vivo half-life than that of the original molecule. If the ⁇ -HRG variant does not have a longer in vivo half-life upon testing, its sequence is further altered to include the sequence and conformation of the identified binding epitope. The altered ⁇ -HRG is tested for longer in vivo half-life, and this process is continued until a molecule is obtained that exhibits a longer in vivo half-life.
  • the salvage receptor binding epitope generally constitutes a region wherein any one or more am o acid residues from one or two loops of a Fc domain are transferred to the ⁇ -HRG. Even more preferably, three or more residues from one or two loops of the Fc domain are transferred. Still more preferred, the epitope is taken from the CH2 domain of the Fc region (e g , of an IgG).
  • the salvage receptor binding epitope comprises the sequence (5' to 3'): PKNSSMISNTP (SEQ ID NO.5), and optionally further comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of HQSLGTQ (SEQ ID NO 6), HQNLSDGK (SEQ ID NO 7), HQNISDGK (SEQ ID NO 8), or VISSHLGQ (SEQ ID NO.9).
  • the salvage receptor binding epitope is a polypeptide containing the sequence(s)(5' to 3'): HQNLSDGK (SEQ ID NO: 7), HQNISDGK (SEQ ID NO:8), or VISSHLGQ (SEQ ID NO:9) and the sequence: PKNSSMISNTP (SEQ ID NO:5).
  • ⁇ -HRG may be fused to a molecule (such as an antibody) which binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g. CD2 or CD3), or Fc receptors for IgG (Fc ⁇ R), such as Fc ⁇ RI (CD64), Fc ⁇ RII (CD32) and Fc ⁇ RIII (CDI 6) so as to focus cellular defense mechanisms to an e/-6B-expressing cell.
  • a molecule such as an antibody
  • Fc ⁇ R Fc receptors for IgG
  • Fc ⁇ RI CD64
  • Fc ⁇ RII CD32
  • Fc ⁇ RIII CDI 6
  • chimeric ⁇ -HRG polypeptides are contemplated herein which localize cytotoxic agents to cells which express an erbB gene.
  • the heterologous polypeptide in such a chimeric ⁇ -HRG polypeptide may be one which binds the cytotoxic agent (e.g. antibodies directed against saporin, anti-interferon- ⁇ , vinca alkaloid, ricin A chain, methotrexate or radioactive isotope hapten).
  • the cytotoxic agent e.g. antibodies directed against saporin, anti-interferon- ⁇ , vinca alkaloid, ricin A chain, methotrexate or radioactive isotope hapten.
  • a third group of variants are amino acid substitution variants. These variants have at least one amino acid residue in the native sequence ⁇ -HRG molecule removed and a different residue inserted in its place.
  • the substitution variant may be one which differs from the amino acid sequence shown in Fig. 1 for mature ⁇ -HRG by the substitution of one amino acid for another at one, two, three or more positions within the Fig. 1 amino acid sequence.
  • Any cysteine residues not involved in maintaining the proper conformation of native ⁇ -HRG also may be substituted, generally with serine, to improve the oxidative stability of the molecule and prevent aberrant crosslinking.
  • residues in potential protease cleavage sites i.e. any one or more of residues 41 1-414, 440- 441 , 481-482, 500-501 , 606-607 may be replaced by other residues.
  • substitutions include ⁇ -HRG with the ⁇ -type EGF-like domain substituted with an ⁇ - type EGF-like domain, and ⁇ -HRG with the ⁇ -type EGF-like domain replaced with the ⁇ -type EGF-like domain of rat NDF or ARIA. Further exemplary substitutions of human ⁇ -HRG of Fig.
  • Nucleic acid molecules encoding amino acid sequence variants of native sequence ⁇ -HRG are prepared by a variety of methods known in the art. These methods include, but are not limited to, isolation from a natural source (in the case of naturally occurring amino acid sequence variants) or preparation by oligonucleotide-mediated (or site-directed) mutagenesis, PCR mutagenesis, and cassette mutagenesis of an earlier prepared variant or a non-variant version of native sequence ⁇ -HRG.
  • Covalent modifications of ⁇ -HRG polypeptides are included within the scope of this invention. Both native sequence ⁇ -HRG and amino acid sequence variants thereof may be covalently modified. Covalent modifications of ⁇ -HRG or fragments thereof may be introduced into the molecule by reacting targeted amino acid residues of the ⁇ -HRG or fragments thereof with an organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selected side chains or the N- or C-terminal residues See U S Patent 5,364,934 concerning potential covalent modifications of ⁇ -HRG
  • ⁇ -HRG For tumor targeting, it may be beneficial to covalently conjugate ⁇ -HRG with a cytotoxic agent, such as those described above
  • a cytotoxic agent such as those described above
  • a variety of radionuclides e Bi, I, In Y and Re
  • MX-DTPA is an exemplary chelating agent for conjugation of radionucleotide to the ⁇ -HRG See W094/ 1 1026
  • Another type of covalent modification of ⁇ -HRG comprises linking the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide to one of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers, e g , polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyoxyalkylenes, or copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol ⁇ -HRG also may be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization (for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsules, respectively) in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, posomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano- particles and nanocapsules), or in macroemulsions Such techniques are disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th edition, Oslo, A , Ed , ( 1980)
  • ammo acid sequence variants and covalent variants have been made, it is routine to screen for those molecules which are biologically and/or antigenically active Competitive-type immunoassays can be employed for determining whether the variant is able to cross-react with antibodies raised against native sequence ⁇ -HRG
  • Competitive-type immunoassays can be employed for determining whether the variant is able to cross-react with antibodies raised against native sequence ⁇ -HRG
  • Other potential modifications of protein or polypeptide properties such as redox or thermal stability, hydrophobicity, susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, or the tendency to aggregate with carriers or into multimers are assayed by methods well known in the art
  • the variants of interest will have any one or more of the following properties (a) the ability to bind to ErbB3 and or ErbB4, (b) the ability to activate ErbB receptor(s) in ErbB2/ErbB3 and/or ErbB2/ErbB4 receptor complexes, and (c) the ability to stimulate proliferation of cells which express the ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptor and/or the ErbB2 and ErbB4 receptor
  • the ability of the ⁇ -HRG variant to bind to either or both the ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor can be readily determined m vitro
  • immunoadhesin forms of these receptors can be generated (see below) and the ErbB3 or ErbB4 immunoadhesin can be immobilized on a solid phase (e g on assay plates coated with goat-anti-human antibody)
  • the ability of ⁇ -HRG to bind to the immobilized immunadhesin can then be determined, e g by determining competitive displacement by other heregulin molecules
  • the tyrosine phosphorylation assay using MCF7 cells described in the Example provides a means for screening for activation of ErbB receptors
  • the KIRA-ELISA described in WO 95/14930 can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the ability of a ⁇ -HRG variant to activate an ErbB receptor
  • MCF7 cells which produce measurable levels of ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4
  • cell densities of 60 % to 75 % confluency are added to each well in a flat-bottom-96 well culture plate and cultured overnight at 37° C in 5% C0 2
  • the well supernatants are decanted, and the plates are lightly tamped on a paper towel Media containing either culture medium (control), native sequence ⁇ -HRG or variant ⁇ -HRG is then added to each well.
  • the cells are stimulated at 37° C for about 30 min., the well supematants are decanted, and the plates are once again lightly tamped on a paper towel.
  • 100 ⁇ l of lysis buffer is added to each well.
  • Lysis buffer consists of 150 mM NaCl containing 50 M HEPES (Gibco), 0.5 % Triton-X 100 (Gibco), 0.01 % thimerosal, 30 KlU/ml aprotinin (ICN Biochemicals, Aurora, OH), ImM 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF; ICN Biochemicals), 50 ⁇ M leupeptin (ICN Biochemicals), and 2 mM sodium orthovanadate (Na V0 4 , Sigma Chemical Co, St. Louis, MO), pH 7.5.
  • the plate is then agitated gently on a plate shaker (Bellco Instruments, Vineland, NJ) for 60 min. at room temperature.
  • an ELISA microtiter plate (Nunc Maxisorp, Inter Med, Denmark) coated overnight at 4° C with an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody directed against the ErbB2, ErbB3 or ErbB4 extracellular domain(depending on the receptor of interest) is decanted, tamped on a paper towel and blocked with 150 ⁇ l/well of Block Buffer (PBS containing 0.5 % BSA (lntergen Company, Purchase, NY) and 0.01 % thimerosal) for 60 min. at room temperature with gentle agitation.
  • Block Buffer PBS containing 0.5 % BSA (lntergen Company, Purchase, NY) and 0.01 % thimerosal
  • the anti- ErbB coated plate is washed 6 times with wash buffer (PBS containing 0.05 % Tween-20 and 0.01 % thimerosal) using an automated plate washer (Scan Washer 300, Skatron Instruments, Inc. Sterling, VA).
  • wash buffer PBS containing 0.05 % Tween-20 and 0.01 % thimerosal
  • the lysate containing solubilized ErbB receptor from the cell-culture microtiter well is transferred (85 ⁇ l/well) to an anti-ErbB coated and blocked ELISA well and is incubated for 2 h at room temperature with gentle agitation.
  • the unbound receptor is removed by washing with wash buffer and 100 ⁇ l of biotinylated 4G10 (anti-phosphotyrosine antibody) in dilution buffer (PBS containing 0.5 % BSA, 0.05 % Tween-20, 5 mM EDTA, and 0.01 % thimerosal), is added to each well.
  • Centris 650 Apple Computers, Cupertino, CA
  • DeltaSoft software BioMetallics, Inc, Princeton, NJ
  • the degree of ErbB receptor phosphorylation induced by the variant ⁇ -HRG can be compared to that induced by native sequence ⁇ -HRG, as well as the control (presumably no activation).
  • the ability of the ⁇ -HRG variant to stimulate proliferation of a cell which expresses the ErbB2 and ErbB3 receptor and/or ErbB2 and ErbB4 receptor can readily be determined in cell culture.
  • Useful cells for this experiment include MCF7 and SK-BR-3 cells obtainable from the ATCC. These tumor cell lines may be plated in cell culture plates and allowed to adhere thereto.
  • the ⁇ - HRG variant and native sequence ⁇ -HRG control may be added at a final concentration of, e.g. , 1 nM. Monoiayers may be washed and stained/fixed with crystal violet. Proliferation can therefore be quantified as described. See the Example below for more details.
  • ⁇ -HRG Another useful cell for determining proliferation capacity of ⁇ -HRG, including variants thereof, is the Schwann cell. See Li et al, supra. 2.
  • Therapeutic Compositions and Methods ⁇ -HRG is also believed to be useful in promoting the development, maintenance, and/or regeneration of neurons in vivo, including central (brain and spinal chord), peripheral (sympathetic, parasympathetic, sensory, and enteric neurons), and otorneurons. Accordingly, ⁇ -HRG may be utilized in methods for the diagnosis and/or treatment of a variety of "neurologic diseases or disorders" which effect the nervous system of a mammal, such as a human.
  • Such diseases or disorders may arise in a patient in whom the nervous system has been damaged by, e.g., trauma, surgery, stroke, ischemia, infection, metabolic disease, nutritional deficiency, malignancy, or toxic agents.
  • the agent is designed to promote the survival, proliferation or differentiation of neurons.
  • ⁇ -HRG can be used to promote the survival or proliferation of motorneurons that are damaged by trauma or surgery.
  • ⁇ -HRG can be used to treat motoneuron disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Bell's palsy, and various conditions involving spinal muscular atrophy, or paralysis.
  • ⁇ -HRG can be used to treat human "neurodegenerative disorders", such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Down's Syndrome, nerve deafness, and Men iere's disease.
  • neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Down's Syndrome, nerve deafness, and Men iere's disease.
  • ⁇ -HRG can be used to treat neuropathy, and especially peripheral neuropathy.
  • Peripheral neuropathy refers to a disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system, most often manifested as one or a combination of motor, sensory, sensorimotor, or autonomic neural dysfunction.
  • the wide variety of morphologies exhibited by peripheral neuropathies can each be attributed uniquely to an equally wide number of causes.
  • peripheral neuropathies can be genetically acquired, can result from a systemic disease, or can be induced by a toxic agent. Examples include but are not limited to distal sensorimotor neuropathy, or autonomic neuropathies such as reduced motility of the gastrointestinal tract or atony of the urinary bladder.
  • neuropathies associated with systemic disease include post-polio syndrome; examples of hereditary neuropathies include Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Refsum's disease, Abetalipoproteinemia, Tangier disease, Krabbe's disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Fabry's disease, and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome; and examples of neuropathies caused by a toxic agent include those caused by treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent.
  • ⁇ -HRG may also be used to treat muscle cells and medical conditions affecting them.
  • the ⁇ -HRG may be used to treat a pathophysiological condition of the musculature in a mammal, such as a skeletal muscle disease (e.g.
  • myopathy or dystrophy a cardiac muscle disorder (such as atrial cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, ischemic damage, congenital disease, or cardiac trauma), or a smooth muscle disorder (for example, arterial sclerosis, vascular lesion, or congenital vascular disease); to treat muscle damage; to decrease atrophy of muscle cells; to increase muscle cell survival, proliferation and/or regeneration in a mammal; to treat hypertension; and/or to treat a muscle cell which has insufficient functional acetylcholine receptors (as in a patient with myasthenia gravis or tachycardia).
  • a cardiac muscle disorder such as atrial cardiac arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, ischemic damage, congenital disease, or cardiac trauma
  • a smooth muscle disorder for example, arterial sclerosis, vascular lesion, or congenital vascular disease
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used to induce the formation of ion channels in a surface membrane of a cell and/or for enhancing the formation of synaptic junctions in an individual.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be also useful as a memory enhancer and may eliminate the "craving" for nicotine.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used to enhance repair and/or regeneration of tissues that produce ErbB receptor(s), especially the ErbB2 receptor.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used to treat dermal wounds; gastrointestinal disease; Barrett's esophagus; cystic or non-cystic end stage kidney disease; and inflammatory bowel disease.
  • this molecule may be used to promote reepithelialization in the human gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive or urinary tract.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used to inhibit tumor cell invasion and mestasis.
  • Tumors characterized by reduced endogenous ⁇ -HRG levels (Park et al. Proc. Am. Assoc. Cancer Res. 34:521 (1993)) may be responsive to ⁇ -HRG.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used to enhance chemotherapy by interacting with ErbB receptors and thereby enhancing tumor cell sensitivity to a chemotherapeutic agent. It may be desirable to treat carcinomas characterized by ErbB receptor overexpression using ⁇ -HRG to direct a cytotoxic agent to the cancerous tissue. Examples of "cytotoxic agents" have been described above.
  • ⁇ -HRG-enzyme conjugates may be beneficial for targeted prodrug therapy for targeting cells expressing ErbB receptor(s).
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonist it may be desirable to treat the mammal with a ⁇ -HRG antagonist, particularly where excessive levels of ⁇ -HRG are present and/or excessive activation of ErbB receptors by ⁇ -HRG is occurring in the mammal.
  • exemplary conditions or disorders to be treated with a ⁇ -HRG antagonist include benign or malignant tumors (e.g.
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonists may also be used to reverse resistance of tumor cells to the immune-response, to inhibit pathological angiogenesis and to stimulate the immune system.
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonists may be administered to patients suffering from neurologic diseases or disorders characterized by excessive production of ⁇ -HRG and/or excessive ErbB receptor activation by ⁇ -HRG.
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonist may be used in the prevention of aberrant regeneration of sensory neurons such as may occur post-operatively, or in the selective ablation of sensory neurons, for example, in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes.
  • the ⁇ -HRG protein may be administered to a patient in need thereof.
  • gene therapy (either nucleic acid encoding ⁇ -HRG or, where it is desired to inhibit ⁇ -HRG, antisense polynucleotides) is contemplated herein.
  • Antisense inhibition of ⁇ -HRG gene expression can occur at multiple levels.
  • the prefered approach is one which involves interfering with translation of ⁇ -HRG mRNA into protein.
  • oligo oligodeoxynucleotide
  • This antisense oligo binds by complementary Watson-Crick base pairing to the native sense mRNA.
  • plasm id-derived antisense RNA i.e. wherein the antisense DNA is provided in a plasmid
  • the antisense molecule is one which binds to form a triple helix or triplex with ⁇ -HRG DNA via Hoogsteen (or anti-Hoogsteen) hydrogen bonding of the third base in the antisense molecule with the already formed pair. Mercola and Cohen, supra.
  • antisense oligos can be directed anywhere along the ⁇ -HRG mRNA transcript, the prefered target sequence is at the 5' end thereof, spanning the initiation codon Generally, the antisense oligo will be relatively specific for ⁇ -HRG and therefore is complementary to at least a portion of the DNA encoding the unique NTD of ⁇ -HRG Oligos of interest will normally comprise at least 15- 17 bases To identify the most active antisense sequence, deletion analysis may be performed Antisense oligos can be readily synthesized by automated methods See US Patent No 5 489,677 issued Feb 6, 1996 Normally the antisense oligo intended for tn vivo use will be modified so as to render it less susceptible to nuclease degradation and or to improve the efficiency with which it is taken up by a cell Several backbone modifications have been developed to counteract nuclease degradation One exemplary modification results in a "methyl-phosphonate" (MO) oligo According to this approach one of the nonb ⁇ dging oxygen atoms in
  • nucleic acid (optionally contained in a vector) into the patient's cells
  • in vivo and ex vivo the nucleic acid is injected directly into the patient, usually at the site where the ⁇ -HRG is required
  • the patient's cells are removed, the nucleic acid is introduced mto these isolated cells and the modified cells are administered to the patient either directly or, for example, encapsulated within porous membranes which are implanted into the patient (see, e g U S Patent Nos 4,892,538 and 5,283, 187)
  • techniques available for introducing nucleic acids into viable cells The techniques vary depending upon whether the nucleic acid is transferred into cultured cells m vitro, or in vivo in the cells of the intended host Techniques suitable for the transfer of nucleic acid into mammalian cells in vitro include the use of liposomes, electroporation, micromjection, cell fusion, DEAE-dextran, the
  • nucleic acid source such as an antibody specific for a cell surface membrane protein or the target cell, a ligand for a receptor on the target cell, etc
  • agents that targets the target cells such as an antibody specific for a cell surface membrane protein or the target cell, a ligand for a receptor on the target cell, etc
  • proteins which bind to a ceil surface membrane protein associated with endocytosis may be used for targeting and/or to facilitate uptake, e g capsid proteins or fragments thereof tropic for a particular cell type, antibodies for proteins which undergo internalization in cycling, and proteins that target mtracellular localization and enhance intracellular half-life
  • the technique of receptor-mediated endocytosis is described, for example, by Wu et al , J Biol Chem 2624429-4432 (1987), and Wagner et al
  • Therapeutic formulations of ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist are prepared for storage by mixing ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist having the desired degree of purity with optional physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Edition, Osol., A., Ed., (1980)), in the form of lyophilized cake or aqueous solutions.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers are non-toxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugar alcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such as sodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as TweenTM, PluronicsTM, or polyethylene glycol (PEG).
  • buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids
  • antioxidants including ascorbic
  • ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes, prior to or following lyophilization and reconstitution. The formulation ordinarily will be stored in lyophilized form or in solution.
  • Therapeutic ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist compositions generally are placed into a container having a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous solution bag or vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle.
  • ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist administration is in accord with known methods, e.g. , injection or infusion by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intramuscular, intraocular, intraarterial, or intralesional routes, or by sustained-release systems as noted below.
  • ⁇ -HRG is administered continuously by infusion or by bolus injection.
  • sustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the protein, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, or microcapsules.
  • sustained-release matrices examples include polyesters, hydrogels (e.g., poly(2- hydroxyethy 1-methacrylate) as described by Langer et al. , J. Biomed. Mater. Res. , 15: 167-277 (1981 ) and Langer, Chem. Tech., 12:98-105 (1982) or poly(vinylalcohol)), polylactides (U.S. Patent No.
  • Sustained-release ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist compositions also include liposomally entrapped drug.
  • Liposomes containing ⁇ -HRG are prepared by methods known perse: DE 3,218,121; Epstein et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3688-3692 (1985); Hwang et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4030-4034 (1980); EP 52,322; EP 36,676; EP 88,046; EP 143,949; EP 142,641 ; Japanese patent application 83-1 18008; U.S. Patent Nos. 4,485,045 and 4,544,545; and EP 102,324.
  • the liposomes are of the small (about 200- 800 Angstroms) unilamellar type in which the lipid content is greater than about 30 mol. % cholesterol, the selected proportion being adjusted for the optimal therapy.
  • Particularly useful liposomes can be generated by the reverse phase evaporation method with a lipid composition comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and PEG-derivatized phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through filters of defined pore size to yield liposomes with the desired diameter.
  • a chemotherapeutic agent such as Doxorubicin is optionally contained within the liposome. See Gabizon et al. J.
  • ⁇ -HRG ⁇ -HRG
  • ⁇ -HRG antagonist of the instant invention ⁇ -HRG
  • ⁇ -HRG optionally is combined with or administered in concert with other neurotrophic factors to achieve a desired therapeutic effect.
  • ⁇ -HRG may be used together with nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophins (NT-3), bone derived nerve factor (BDNF), neurotrophins-4 and -5 (NT-4/5), an insulin-like growth factor (e.g., IGF-1 or IGF-2), gas6, or another neurotrophic factor to achieve a synergistic stimulatory effect on neurons, wherein the term "synergistic" means that the effect of the combination of ⁇ -HRG with a second substance is greater than that achieved with either substance used individually. Suitable dosages for the neurotrophic factors may be similar to those known in the art for such molecules.
  • the cancer patient to be treated with the ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist disclosed herein may also receive radiation therapy.
  • a chemotherapeutic agent may be administered to the patient. Preparation and dosing schedules for such chemotherapeutic agents may be used according to manufacturers' instructions or as determined empirically by the skilled practitioner. Preparation and dosing schedules for such chemotherapy are also described in Chemotherapy Service Ed., M.C. Perry, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD (1992). The chemotherapeutic agent may precede, or follow administration of the ⁇ - HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist or may be given simultaneously therewith.
  • cytokines may be co-administered to the patient.
  • ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist to be employed therapeutically will depend, for example, upon the therapeutic objectives, the route of administration, and the condition of the patient. Accordingly, it will be necessary for the therapist to titer the dosage and modify the route of administration as required to obtain the optimal therapeutic effect.
  • a typical daily dosage might range from about 1 ⁇ g/kg to up to 100 mg/kg of patient body weight or more per day, preferably about 10 ⁇ g/kg/day to 10 mg/kg/day.
  • the clinician will administer ⁇ -HRG or ⁇ -HRG antagonist until a dosage is reached that achieves the desired effect for treatment of the above mentioned disorders. 3.
  • Non-Therapeutic Methods ⁇ -HRG polypeptide can be used for growing cells (such as glial and muscle cells) ex vivo. It is desirable to have such populations of cells in cell culture for isolation of cell-specific factors e.g. P75 NGFR which is a Schwann cell specific marker. Such factors are useful as diagnostic tools or, in the case of P75 FR , can be used an antigens to generate antibodies for diagnostic use.
  • cell-specific factors e.g. P75 NGFR which is a Schwann cell specific marker.
  • P75 NGFR which is a Schwann cell specific marker.
  • Such factors are useful as diagnostic tools or, in the case of P75 FR , can be used an antigens to generate antibodies for diagnostic use.
  • cells comprising an ErbB receptor are provided and placed m a cell culture medium Suitable tissue culture media are well known to persons skilled in the art and include, but are not limited to, Minimal Essential Medium (MEM), RPMl- 1640, and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) These tissue culture medias are commercially available from Sigma Chemical Company (St Louis, MO) and GIBCO (Grand Island, NY) The cells are then cultured in the cell culture medium under conditions sufficient for the cells to remain viable and grow in the presence of an effective amount of ⁇ -HRG The cells can be cultured in a variety of ways, including cult
  • the cells are cultured at a physiologically acceptable temperature such as 37° C, for example, in the presence of an effective amount of ⁇ -HRG
  • the amount of ⁇ -HRG may vary, but preferably is in the range of about 10 ng/ml to about lmg/ml
  • the ⁇ -HRG can of course be added to the culture at a dose determined empirically by those in the art without undue experimentation
  • the concentration of ⁇ -HRG in the culture will depend on various factors, such as the conditions under which the cells and ⁇ -HRG are cultured
  • the specific temperature and duration of incubation, as well as other culture conditions, can be varied depending on such factors as, e g , the concentration of the ⁇ -HRG, and the type of cells and medium Those skilled in the art will be able to determine operative and optimal culture conditions without undue experimentation Techniques for culturing Schwann cells ex vivo are described in Li et al , supra and Sklar et al , supra describe
  • tissue sample from the primary lesion of a patient
  • Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks are prepared See Muss et al , supra and Press et al , Cancel Research 54 2771 -2777 ( 1994)
  • Tissue sections e g 4 ⁇ M are prepared according to known techniques
  • the extent of ⁇ -HRG binding to the tissue sections is then quantified Generally, the ⁇ -HRG (protein or nucleic acid probe) or HRG antibody will be labelled either directly or indirectly with a detectable label
  • Numerous labels are available which can be generally grouped into the following categories (a) Radioisotopes, such as 35 S, 14 C, l25 I, 3 H, and ' J ' 1.
  • the ⁇ -HRG or antibody can be labeled with the radioisotope using the techniques described in Current Protocols in Immunology, Ed. Coligen et al , Wiley Publishers, Vols 1 & 2, for example, and radioactivity can be measured using scintillation counting
  • Fluorescent labels such as rare earth chelates (europium chelates) or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives, dansyl, Lissamine, phycoerythrin and Texas Red are available.
  • the fluorescent labels can be conjugated to the ⁇ -HRG or antibody using the techniques disclosed in Current Protocols in Immunology, supra, for example. Fluorescence can be quantified using a fluorimeter (Dynatech)
  • the enzyme generally catalyses a chemical alteration of the chromogenic substrate which can be measured using various techniques. For example, the enzyme may catalyze a color change in a substrate, which can be measured spectrophotometrically. Altematively, the enzyme may alter the fluorescence or chemiluminescence of the substrate. Techniques for quantifying a change in fluorescence are described above.
  • the chemiluminescent substrate becomes electronically excited by a chemical reaction and may then emit light which can be measured (using a Dynatech ML3000 chemiluminometer, for example) or donates energy to a fluorescent acceptor.
  • enzymatic labels include luciferases (e g., firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase; U.S. Patent No. 4,737,456), luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, malate dehydrogenase, urease, peroxidase such as horseradish peroxidase (HRPO), alkaline phosphatase, ⁇ - galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide oxidases (e.g., glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), heterocyclic oxidases (such as uricase and xanthine oxidase), lactoperoxidase, microperoxidase, and the like.
  • luciferases e g., firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferas
  • enzyme-substrate combinations include, for example: (a) Horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) with hydrogen peroxidase as a substrate, wherein the hydrogen peroxidase oxidizes a dye precursor (e.g orthophenylene diamine (OPD) or 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine hydrochloride (TMB)); (b) alkaline phosphatase (AP) with para-Nitrophenyl phosphate as chromogenic substrate; and (c) ⁇ -D-galactosidase ( ⁇ -D- Gal) with a chromogenic substrate (e.g p-nitrophenyl- ⁇ -D-galactosidase) or fluorogenic substrate 4- methylumbelliferyl- ⁇ -D-galactosidase.
  • HRPO Horseradish peroxidase
  • OPD orthophenylene diamine
  • TMB 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyl benzidine hydroch
  • the label is indirectly conjugated with the ⁇ -HRG or antibody.
  • the ⁇ -HRG or antibody can be conjugated with biotin and any of the three broad categories of labels mentioned above can be conjugated with avidin, or vice versa.
  • Biotin binds selectively to avidin and thus, the label can be conjugated with the ⁇ -HRG or antibody in this indirect manner.
  • the ⁇ -HRG or antibody is conjugated with a small hapten (e.g. digoxin) and one of the different types of labels mentioned above is conjugated with an anti-hapten antibody (e.g. anti-digoxin antibody).
  • an anti-hapten antibody e.g. anti-digoxin antibody
  • the ⁇ -HRG or antibody need not be labeled, and the presence thereof can be detected using a labeled anti- ⁇ -HRG or anti-antibody antibody (e.g. conjugated with HRPO).
  • the ⁇ -HRG or antibody is labeled with an enzymatic label which catalyzes a color change of a substrate (such as tetramethyl benzimidine (TMB), or orthaphenylene diamine (OPD)).
  • TMB tetramethyl benzimidine
  • OPD orthaphenylene diamine
  • a color change of the reagent can be determined spectrophotometrically at a suitable wavelength (e.g.
  • tissue sections on slides are exposed to the labelled ⁇ -HRG or antibody and the intensity of staining of the tissue sections is determined.
  • in vitro analysis is normally contemplated, in vivo diagnosis using ⁇ -HRG or antibody conjugated to a detectable moiety (e.g. In for imaging) can also be performed. See, e.g., US Pat No. 4,938,948.
  • ⁇ -HRG preparations are also useful as standards in assays for ⁇ -HRG (e.g., by labeling ⁇ -HRG for use as a standard in a radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunoassay, or radioreceptor assay), in affinity purification techniques (e.g. for an ErbB receptor such as ErbB3 or ErbB4 receptor), and in competitive-type receptor binding assays when labeled with radioiodine, enzymes, fluorophores, spin labels, and the like.
  • ⁇ -HRG polypeptides are also useful as immunogens for generating anti- ⁇ -HRG antibodies for diagnostic use.
  • the unique NTD or fragments thereof, (e.g., having a consecutive sequence of 20 or more amino acid residues) are useful as immunogens for generating ⁇ -HRG-specific antibodies for use in its detection and/or purification.
  • nucleic acid encoding ⁇ -HRG is useful as a probe for detecting ⁇ -HRG expression in various tissues.
  • nucleic acid encoding or complementary to nucleic acid encoding the unique NTD of ⁇ -HRG or a fragment thereof is particularly useful.
  • Techniques for DNA analysis are well known. See, e.g. US Pat No. 4,968,603. Normally, the DNA analysis will involve Southem blotting a sample derived from a mammal.
  • Polyclonal antibodies generally are raised by immunizing animals with ⁇ -HRG or a fragment thereof (optionally conjugated to a heterologous protein that is immunogenic in the species to be immunized).
  • Monoclonal antibodies directed toward ⁇ -HRG may be produced using any method which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. Examples of suitable methods for preparing monoclonal antibodies include the original hybridoma method of Kohler et al, Nature 256:495-497 (1975), and the human B-cell hybridoma method, Kozbor, J., Immunol.
  • DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies of the invention is readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of antibodies).
  • the hybridoma cells of the invention serve as a preferred source of such DNA.
  • the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as E. coli cells, simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells.
  • the DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy- and light-chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (Morrison, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81 :6851 (1984)), or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide.
  • “chimeric” or “hybrid” antibodies are prepared that have the binding specificity of an anti- ⁇ -HRG monoclonal antibody herein. Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art.
  • a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non- human amino acid residues are often referred to as "import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import” variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones et al, Nature 321 :522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al, Nature 332:323-327 (1988); and Verhoeyen et al, Science 239: 1534-1536 (1988)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such "humanized” antibodies are chimeric antibodies (US Pat. No.
  • humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.
  • variable domains both light and heavy
  • the choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy, to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to reduce antigenicity.
  • the sequence of the variable domain of a rodent antibody is screened against the entire library of known human variable- domain sequences.
  • the human sequence which is closest to that of the rodent is then accepted as the human framework (FR) for the humanized antibody (Sims et al. , J. Immunol 151 :2296 ( 1993); and Chothia and Lesk, J. Mol. Biol 196:901 (1987)).
  • Another method uses a particular framework derived from the consensus sequence of all human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chains.
  • humanized antibodies are prepared by a process of analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected candidate immunoglobulin sequences.
  • transgenic animals e.g., mice
  • transgenic animals that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production.
  • J H antibody heavy-chain joining region
  • transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-line mutant mice will result in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge.
  • Jakobovits et al Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al, Nature 362:255-258 (1993); and Bruggermann et al, Year in Immuno. 7:33 (1993).
  • phage display technology can be used to produce human antibodies and antibody fragments in vitro, from immunoglobulin variable (V) domain gene repertoires from unimmunized donors.
  • V domain genes are cloned in- frame into either a major or minor coat protein gene of a filamentous bacteriophage, such as M 13 or fd, and displayed as functional antibody fragments on the surface of the phage particle. Because the filamentous particle contains a single-stranded DNA copy of the phage genome, selections based on the functional properties of the antibody also result in selection of the gene encoding the antibody exhibiting those properties.
  • the phage mimicks some of the properties of the B-cell.
  • Phage display can be performed in a variety of formats; for their review see, e.g., Johnson, Kevin S. and Chiswell, David J., Current Opinion in Structural Biology 3:564-571 (1993).
  • V-gene segments can be used for phage display. Clackson et al , Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) isolated a diverse array of anti-oxazolone antibodies from a small random combinatorial library of V genes derived from the spleens of immunized mice.
  • a repertoire of V genes from unimmunized human donors can be constructed and antibodies to a diverse array of antigens (including self- antigens) can be isolated essentially following the techniques described by Marks et al, J. Mol. Biol 222:581- 597 (1991 ), or Griffith et al, EMBO J. 12:725-734 (1993).
  • Bispecific antibodies are antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different antigens.
  • one of the binding specificities is for a ⁇ -HRG
  • the other one is for any other antigen, e.g., for another polypeptide that activates an ErbB receptor.
  • bispecific antibodies specifically binding ⁇ -HRG and another heregulin polypeptide are within the scope of the present invention.
  • Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full length antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. F(ab') 2 bispecific antibodies).
  • bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditional production of full length bispecific antibodies is based on the coexpression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities (Millstein et al, Nature 305:537-539 ( 1983)). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. Purification of the correct molecule, which is usually done by affinity chromatography steps, is rather cumbersome, and the product yields are low.
  • antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences.
  • the fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CHI ) containing the site necessary for light chain binding, present in at least one of the fusions.
  • CHI first heavy-chain constant region
  • DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. This provides for great flexibility in adjusting the mutual proportions of the three polypeptide fragments in embodiments when unequal ratios of the three polypeptide chains used in the construction provide the optimum yields. It is, however, possible to insert the coding sequences for two or all three polypeptide chains in one expression vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide chains in equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios are of no particular significance.
  • the bispecific antibodies are composed of a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with a first binding specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding specificity) in the other arm. It was found that this asymmetric structure facilitates the separation of the desired bispecific compound from unwanted immunoglobulin chain combinations, as the presence of an immunoglobulin light chain in only one half of the bispecific molecule provides for a facile way of separation. This approach is disclosed in WO 94/04690. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh et al. Methods in Enzymology, 121 :210 (1986).
  • the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant cell culture.
  • the preferred interface comprises at least a part of the C ⁇ 3 domain of an antibody constant domain.
  • one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan).
  • Compensatory "cavities" of identical or similar size to the large side chain(s) are created on the interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as homodimers.
  • Bispecific antibodies include cross-linked or "heteroconjugate" antibodies.
  • one of the antibodies in the heteroconjugate can be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin.
  • Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (US Patent No. 4,676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360).
  • Heteroconjugate antibodies may be made using any convenient cross-linking methods. Suitable cross-linking agents are well known in the art, and are disclosed in US Patent No. 4,676,980, along with a number of cross-linking techniques. Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragments have also been described in the literature. For example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage.
  • the Fab' fragments generated are then converted to thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives
  • TNB thionitrobenzoate
  • One ot the Fab'-TNB derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-thiol by reduction with mercaptoethylamine and is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab'-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody
  • the bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes
  • Recent progress has facilitated the direct recovery of Fab'-SH fragments from E co which can be chemically coupled to form bispecific antibodies
  • Shalaby et al , J Exp Med , 175 217-225 (1992) describe the production of a fully humanized bispecific antibody F(ab') 2 molecule
  • Each Fab' fragment was separately secreted from E coli and subjected to directed chemical coupling in vitro to form the bispecific antibody
  • the bispecific antibody thus formed was able to bind to cells overexpressing
  • bispecific antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers Kostelny et al , J Immunol 148(5) 1547-1553 (1992) Ihe leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion The antibody homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers This method can also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers
  • the "diabody” technology described by Hol nger et al Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 90 6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism for making bispecific antibody fragments
  • the fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (V H ) connected to a light-chain variable domain (V L ) by a linker which is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain Accordingly, the V ⁇ and V L
  • Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated
  • trispecific antibodies can be prepared Tutt et al J Immunol 147 60 (1991)
  • antibodies are made using the techniques for generating these molecules elaborated above
  • the preferred neutralizing antibody is specific for ⁇ -HRG (i e does not significantly cross-react with other heregulms as determined by immuno-precipitation, for example)
  • the antibodies are subjected to a screening process in order to identify those molecules which meet the desired criteria (/ e which are able to neutralize a biological activity of ⁇ -HRG either in vitro or in vivo)
  • the ability of the ⁇ -HRG to block ⁇ -HRG activity in any one or more of the assays described above for screening for ⁇ -HRG variants can be evaluated Those antibodies which block the ability of ⁇ -HRG to bind to and/or activate an ErbB receptor and/or the mitogenic activity of ⁇ -HRG on cells can be selected as neutralizing antibodies
  • the antibodies may be coupled to a cytotoxic agent or enzyme (e g a prodrug-activating enzyme) in a similar manner to that
  • the antibodies are labeled in the same fashion as ⁇ -HRG described above and/or are immobilized on an insoluble matrix.
  • Suitable diagnostic assays for ⁇ -HRG antibodies are well known an have been discussed above with respect to ⁇ -HRG polypeptide assays.
  • a particularly useful assay for detecting this molecule in biological fluids is as described in US Pat. No. 5,401,638, issued March 28, 1995.
  • the ⁇ -HRG in the bodily fluid e.g. human plasma or serum
  • a second antibody which is optionally labelled, is then used to detect the captured ⁇ -HRG.
  • This second antibody may be one which binds any epitope of the ⁇ -HRG.
  • the amount of ⁇ -HRG in the bodily fluid relative to a control can be detected.
  • ⁇ -HRG antibodies are also useful for affinity purification of ⁇ -HRG from recombinant cell culture or natural sources.
  • Neutralizing anti- ⁇ -HRG antibodies may also be used to block ⁇ -HRG biological activity in vitro or in vivo. Clinical situations in which this may be desirable are discussed above with respect to uses for ⁇ -HRG antagonists.
  • the reagents for these assays can be provided in a kit, i.e., a packaged combination of reagents, for combination with the sample to be tested.
  • the components of the kit will normally be provided in predetermined ratios.
  • a kit may comprise the antibody or ⁇ -HRG (DNA or polypeptide) labelled directly or indirectly with a suitable label.
  • the detectable label is an enzyme
  • the kit will include substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme (e.g.
  • a substrate precursor which provides the detectable chromophore or fluorophore.
  • other additives may be included such as stabilizers, buffers and the like.
  • the relative amounts of the various reagents may be varied widely to provide for concentrations in solution of the reagents which substantially optimize the sensitivity of the assay.
  • the reagents may be provided as dry powders, usually lyophilized, including excipients which on dissolution will provide a reagent solution having the appropriate concentration.
  • the kit also suitably includes instructions for carrying out the bioassay.
  • an article of manufacture containing materials useful for the treatment of the disorders described above comprises a container and a label.
  • Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, and test tubes.
  • the containers may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic.
  • the container holds a composition which is effective for treating the condition and may have a sterile access port (for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle).
  • the active agent in the composition is ⁇ -HRG or an antagonist thereof.
  • the label on, or associated with, the container indicates that the composition is used for treating the condition of choice.
  • the article of manufacture may further comprise a second container comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as phosphate- buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.
  • a pharmaceutically-acceptable buffer such as phosphate- buffered saline, Ringer's solution and dextrose solution.
  • It may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.
  • This example describes the isolation and biochemical characterization of the ⁇ -HRG polypeptide of the present invention.
  • ErbB3- and ErbB4-immunoadhesins A unique Ml I site was engineered into a plasmid expressing human IgG heavy chain at the region encoding the hinge domain of the immunoglobulin Ml I sites were also engineered into a set of ErbB expression plasmids at the region encoding the ECD/TM junctions of these receptors. All mutageneses were done using the Kunkel method (Kunkel, T., Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82:488 (1985)). The Ml I sites were utilized to make the appropriate ErbB-IgG fusion constructs.
  • the fusion junctions of the various ErbB-IgG chimeras were: for ErbB2, E 646 ErbB2 -(TR)- DKTH 224 VH ; for ErbB3, L 636 ErbB3 -(TR)-DKTH 224 VH ; for ErbB4, G 640 ErbB4 -(TR)-DKTH 224 VH .
  • the conserved TR sequence is derived from the Ml I site.
  • the final expression constructs were in a pRK-type plasmid backbone wherein eukaryotic expression is driven by a CMV promoter (Gorman et al, DNA Prot. Eng Tech. 2:3-10 (1990)).
  • HEK-293 cells were transfected with the appropriate expression plasmids using standard calcium phosphate methods (Gorman et al, supra and Huang et al, Nucleic Acids Res. 18:937-947 ( 1990)). Serum-containing media was replaced with serum-free media 15 hours post-transfection and the transfected cells incubated for 5-7 days. The resulting conditioned media was harvested and passed through Protein A columns (1 mL Pharmacia HiTrapTM). Purified IgG fusions were eluted with 0.1 M citric acid (pH 4.2) into tubes containing 1 M Tris pH 9.0.
  • the eluted proteins were subsequently dialyzed against PBS and concentrated using Centri-prep-30 filters (Amicon). Glycerol was added to a final concentration of 25% and die material stored at -20° C. Concentrations of material were determined via a Fc-ELISA.
  • RNA was isolated using oligo (dT) Dynabeads (DYNAL) as recommended by the supplier. First and second strand syntheses were performed using a Gibco BRL cDNA synthesis kit. ⁇ gtlO cD A recombinants were generated when a cDNA cloning system from Amersham was used. In vitro packaging was performed using Gigapack IITM packaging extract (Stratagene). Pstl-Xhol HRG ⁇ 3 cDNA fragment (nt 144-618) was labeled by random priming and 1 x 10 plaques were screened. Positive clones were confirmed and purified by secondary and tertiary screening.
  • Phage DNA was isolated as a BamHI fragment and subcloned into the corresponding site of pBluescript SK " . Clone 5 was completely sequenced using the Sequenase version 2.0TM DNA sequencing kit (United States Biochemicals, Inc.). Both strands were sequenced.
  • Bacterial Expression System A cDNA fragment of clone 5 (nt 1690- 2722) was subcloned into the pET-32 TRX fusion vector (Novagen). This Bglll-Bglll fragment was inserted into the BamHI site of the pET32a plasmid. The trx ⁇ -HRG (amino acids 455-768) protein expression in E.coli was induced as recommended by the supplier.
  • E.coli cells expressing trx ⁇ -HRG were collected and suspended at 9 ml/g in 50 mM Tris HCL pH 8. Lysozyme was added to a final concentration of 0.2 mg/ml and the solution was stirred on ice for 1 hr. Dnase 1 (10 ⁇ g ml) and MgCl 2 (4 M) were added. The solution was then sonicated for 30 min and cell pellets collected afterwards. The pellet fraction was dissolved at 250 ml/g in 6 M Gdn HCL, 0.1 M Tris HCL, pH 8.8.
  • Solubilized proteins were sulfitolyzed by adding 1/10 volume of 1 M Na 2 S0 3 and 1/10 volume of 0.2 M Na 2 S 4 0 6 . The reaction was allowed to proceed for 1.5 hours at room temperature and protein was purified by gel filtration chromatography using a High Load SuperdexTM 75 prep grade column (Pharmacia). Refolding was initiated by the addition of 1 mM cysteine, and 10 mM methionine was added as an antioxidant and incubated overnight at room temperature. Protein concentration was determined by quantitative amino acid analysis.
  • Prehybridization was carried out at 42° C in 50 % formamide/ 1% SDS/ 1 M NaCl, 10 % dextransulfate and 100 ⁇ g/ml herring sperm DNA for at least 2 hours.
  • cDNA probes using either a restriction fragment with complementary sequence to the EGF-like domain of HRG ⁇ 3 or a KpnI-Avall cDNA fragment encoding the unique sequence of ⁇ -HRG (nt 1238-1868) were radiolabeled by random priming (Prime-It II, Stratagene). Hybridiziation was done in equal solution at 42° C containing the 2 P labeled fragments for 1 hr.
  • Blots were washed several times with 2 x SSC/ 1% SDS at room temperature, washed with the same solution at 65°C for 20 min and finally washed with 0.2 x SSC/ 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 15 min.
  • the blots were air dried and exposed to Du Pont ReflectionTM film with intensifying screens at -80° C for 7-40 hours.
  • BgHI-Ndel cDNA fragment of ⁇ -HRG (nt 1690-2351) was also radiolabeled by random priming and used as a hybridization probe. Prehybridization was carried out in 6 x SSC/ 5 x Denhardt's/ 0.75% SDS, 10% Dextransulfate and 100 ⁇ g/ml herring sperm DNA at 68° C for 4 hours and hybridization with radiolabeled probe was done overnight. The same wash conditions as for Northern blots were used except a wash step with 0.2 x SSC/ 0.1% SDS at 68° C was added and detection was pursued as described above.
  • Binding assays were performed in Nunc breakapart strip wells. Plates were coated at 4° C overnight with 100 ⁇ l of 5 ⁇ g/ml goat-anti-human antibody (Boehringer Mannheim) in 50 M carbonate buffer (pH 9.6). Plates were rinsed twice with wash buffer (PBS/ 0.05% Tween-20TM) and blocked with 100 ⁇ l 1% BSA/ PBS for 30 min. Buffer was removed and each well was incubated with 15 ng IgG fusion protein in 1% BSA/ PBS under vigorous shaking for 1.5 hours.
  • wash buffer PBS/ 0.05% Tween-20TM
  • Plates were rinsed three times with wash buffer and competitive binding was carried out by adding various amounts of ⁇ -HRG and ,25 I-HRG ⁇ l under vigorous shaking. After incubation for 1.5-2 hours, wells were rinsed three times with wash buffer, drained and individual wells were counted using a 100 Series Iso Data ⁇ -counter.
  • Tyrosine Phosphorylation Assay MCF7 cells were plated in 24 well plates at 1 x 10 cells/ well in F 12/DMEM containing 10% FBS. After 48 hours, cells were washed with serum free F 12/DMEM and serum starved for 6 hours. Various concentrations of bacterial expressed truncated ⁇ -HRG (i.e., 0 pM, 22 pM, 66 pM, 200 pM and 600 pM trx ⁇ -HRG) or unpurified conditioned medium of MDA-MB- 175 cells were prepared in binding buffer (0.1% BSA in F12/DMEM) and added to each well.
  • Various concentrations of bacterial expressed truncated ⁇ -HRG i.e., 0 pM, 22 pM, 66 pM, 200 pM and 600 pM trx ⁇ -HRG
  • unpurified conditioned medium of MDA-MB- 175 cells were prepared in binding buffer (0.1% BSA in F
  • sample buffer 5% SDS, 0.25% 2-mercaptoethanol, 25 mM Tris-HCL pH 6.8.
  • 20 ⁇ l of each sample was size fractionated in a 4-12% gradient gel (Novex) and then electrophoretically transfered onto nitrocellulose membrane.
  • Antiphosphotyrosine (4G10, from UBI, used at 1 ⁇ g/ml) immunoblots were developed and the predominant reactive band at M r ⁇ I80 kDa was quantified by reflectance densitometry.
  • ⁇ -HRG was visualized in conditioned medium of MDA-MB-175 cells by Western blot analysis under non reducing conditions. ⁇ -HRG was partially purified by HPLC using a C4 reverse phase column.
  • Tumor cell lines were plated in 96 well plates at following densities: 2 x 10 4 cells/well for MDA-MB-175 and 1 x IO 4 cells/well for SK-BR-3. The media contained 1% FBS and cells were allowed to adhere for 2 hours. Monoclonal antibodies, immunoadhesions ( 10 ⁇ g/ml) or media alone were added and the cells were incubated for 2 hours at 37° C. rHRG ⁇ 1 j 77-244 was added at a final concentration of 1 nM, or 100 nM for neutralising the immunoadhesion, and the cells were incubated for 4 days. Monolayers were washed with PBS and stained/fixed with 0.5% crystal violet. Plates were air dried, the dye was eluted with 0.1 M sodium citrate (pH 4.2) in ethanol (50:50) and the absorbance was measured at 540 nm.
  • ⁇ -HRG Isolation and sequence analysis of ⁇ -HRG: To characterize the heregulin transcript in MDA-MB- 175 cells, a ⁇ gt 10 cDNA library was constructed with mRNA derived from this cell line. The library was screened with a cDNA probe corresponding to the EGF-like domain and part of the N-terminal sequence of HRG ⁇ 3. Various clones were identified. One of the clones which appeared to contain the full length cDNA sequence was isolated and sequenced. Fig. I shows the nucleotide sequence and the predicted amino acid sequence of ⁇ -HRG. The single open reading frame of 2303 bp starts with an ATG codon at nt 334.
  • This start codon lies in a nucleotide sequence context, which is known to be a potential translation initiation site (Kozak, Nucleic Acid Research 15:8125-8148 (1987)). Several termination codons were found upstream of the initiation codon.
  • the stop codon TAG at nt 2637 is followed by the 3' noncoding sequence, which is identical to other HRG isoform sequences and includes a polyadenylation signal followed by an A-rich region.
  • the open reading frame encodes a protein of 768 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of 84.2 kDa.
  • ⁇ -HRG as shown in Fig.2 has an EGF-like domain which is completely identical to GGF, SMDF and the HRG ⁇ isoforms.
  • GGF GGF-like protein
  • SMDF and HRG ⁇ 3 the amino acid sequence ends in the juxtamembrane region after a stretch of 11 variable amino acid residues. Therefore ⁇ - HRG lacks the transmembrane region and the cytoplasmic domain.
  • the spacer region with many potential N-and O-linked glycosylation sites is present. This region connects the EGF-like domain with the Ig-like domain.
  • HRG sensory and motor neuron derived factor
  • all known HRG forms contain this motif.
  • the N-terminal region upstream of the Ig- like domain is unique and distinct from all other heregulins.
  • the first 33 amino acids which are found in HRG ⁇ and HRG ⁇ are absent. Instead ⁇ -HRG possesses a 560 amino acid sequence, which shows no similarity to any known DNA or protein sequences.
  • ⁇ -HRG lacks an N- terminal signal sequence.
  • the unique region shows a 22 amino acid stretch of hydrophobic amino acid residues, which may function as an internal signal sequence and may be responsible for the secretion ability of ⁇ -HRG. No structural motifs could be found in the N-terminal region after searching a motif database.
  • MDA-MB-175 RNA only one major transcript of 3.3 kb could be found.
  • a 32 P labeled cDNA probe corresponding to the unique N-terminal sequence of ⁇ -HRG was used, no hybridization signals could be located either in MDA-MB-231 RNA nor in breast tissue RNA .
  • MDA-MB-175 RNA again the major 3.3 kb band could be detected. Due to the overexposure of the autoradiogram, bands of much lower intensities with the sizes of 1.8 kb, 5 kb and 7.5 kb could be seen. They were also present in autoradiograms after extensive exposure using the EGF-like domain probe.
  • Various human tissues were examined for the presence of ⁇ -HRG mRNA.
  • Transcripts were found in testis, ovary, skeletal muscle and in lower intensity in heart, brain and kidney. No transcripts could be found by Northern blot analysis in spleen, thymus, prostate, small intestine, colon, peripheral blood leukocytes, placenta, lung, liver and pancreas.
  • the mRNA in the expressing tissues varied by sizes. Without being bound to any theory, this is probably due to differential splicing events in these tissues.
  • the ⁇ -HRG isoform is not a result of DNA rearrangement:
  • the heregulin NDF isoforms are products of a differentially spliced gene.
  • Southem blot analysis of genomic DNA retrieved from MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-175 cells was performed. Genomic DNA of both cell lines was digested with restriction enzymes and fractionated by size. The blot was hybridized with a radiolabeled cDNA probe (nt 1690-2351) of ⁇ -HRG.
  • the 5' prime of the cDNA probe was complementary to the unique N-terminal sequence.
  • the 3' prime contained a part of the commonly shared sequence of the heregulins, which Marchionni et al. supra defined as exon 2. This means that the probe was designed over the exon/intron junction or possible DNA rearrangement site.
  • Comparison of the band sizes in both MDA-MB-175 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines revealed no differences, which is a strong indication that ⁇ -HRG is not a product of DNA rearrangement, but rather a new splice variant of the heregulin gene.
  • clone 20 contains at least one insert of 26 amino acid residues between amino acid 560 and 561. Furthermore the N-terminal DNA sequence varies from ⁇ -HRG by additional base pairs. However clone 20 lacks the 5' end.
  • Initial expression experiments in mammalian cells were done with a construct containing clone 20 DNA sequence. Protein sequence analysis of the secreted form showed a processed polypeptide, lacking the N-terminal sequence and hydrophobic region. Proteolytic cleavage occured in the additional insert region of this clone between two arginine residues (i.e.
  • N-terminal residue of the proteolytically processed protein was residue 315 in Fig. 5). Based on these data, a N-terminal truncated version of ⁇ -HRG thioredoxin fusion protein was expressed in an bacterial expression system. Although it has been reported that several mammalian cytokines and growth factors stay soluble in the E.coli cytoplasm, when expressed as a C-terminal thioredoxin fusion protein, trx ⁇ -HRG was insoluble (La Value et al Bio/Technology 1 1 : 187-193 (1993)), Under those conditions trx ⁇ -HRG accumulated in inclusion bodies from which the recombinant protein was isolated.
  • the protein was sulfitolyzed and then refolded by the addition of cysteine.
  • the interaction of ⁇ -HRG with the heregulin receptors ErbB3 and ErbB4 was examined. Binding analysis was performed using an in vitro system, so that the binding characteristics of the individual receptors could be studied. IgG fusion proteins containing the extracellular domain of ErbB3 or ErbB4 were constructed. The imunoadhesins were incubated with I25 I-HRG ⁇ l(177-244) (0.23 nM) and
  • ⁇ -HRG The functional activity of ⁇ -HRG found in the supernatant of MDA-MB-175 cells was evaluated.
  • the size determination of the secreted isoform was carried out by Western blot performed with a ErbB2/ErbB4-IgG heterodimer.
  • ⁇ -HRG was semi-purified from conditioned medium by HPLC using a C4 reverse phase column By SDS-PAGE, a -64 kDa band was seen, whereas CHO expressed full length HRG ⁇ 1 migrated with a molecular weight size of 45 kDa These data indicate that the mature protein is 20 kDa greater than HRG ⁇ 1.
  • processing of ⁇ -HRG may have occurred during the secretion event so as to release the "mature" form of ⁇ -HRG.
  • Binding studies on MCF7 cells revealed a dose dependent displacement of I-HRG ⁇ 1 j 77.244 ) w '* unpurified conditioned medium.
  • tyrosine phosphorylation studies on MCF7 cells also showed signaling capability of secreted ⁇ -HRG.
  • MDA-MB- 175 MDA- MB- 175 cells were treated with an ErbB2 monoclonal antibody (2C4) that interferes with the ligand dependent formation of ErbB2/ErbB3 and ErbB2/ErbB4 heterodimer complexes Sliwkowski et al, J. Biol. Chem. 269: 14661-14665 (1994).
  • 2C4 ErbB2 monoclonal antibody
  • incubation with 2C4 showed a strong growth inhibitory effect on this cell line (Fig.4A).
  • Exogenous HRG did not significantly reverse this inhibition.
  • 2C4 revealed no inhibitory effect on the ErbB2 overexpressing cell line SK-BR-3 (Fig. 4B).
  • 4D5 another monoclonal antibody against ErbB2 which interacts with a different epitope from 2C4 (Fendly et al, supra), was moderate growth inhibitory in MDA-MB- 175 cells. Inhibition of cell proliferation by 4D5 is dependent on the ErbB2 expression level (Lewis el al. Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 37:255-263 (1993)). A maximum inhibition of 66% in SK-BR-3 cells could be detected (Fig.5B). However this effect could be overcome by exogenous HRG.
  • AAGAAGATTT AAAGAAAAAC CACTCGGCCC TGAGTGCGGC GAGGACCCTG 300 TTTGTGGATG TGGAGGAGCG CGGGCCGGAG GCCATGGACG TGAAGGAGAG 350 GAAGCCTTAC CGCTCGCTGA CCCGGCGCCG CGACGCCGCTACA 400 CCAGCTCGTC CGCGGACAGC GAGGAGGGCA AAGCCCCGCA GAAATCGTAC 450 AGCTCCAGCG AGACCCTGAA GGCCTACGAC CAGGACGCCC GCCTAGCCTA 500 TGGCAGCCGC GTCAAGGACA TTGTGCCGCA GGAGGCCGAG GAATTCTGCC 550 GCACAGGTGC CAACTTCACC CTGCGGGAGC TGGGGCTGGA AGAAGTAACG 600 CCCCCTCACG GGACCCTGTA CCGGACAGAC ATTGGCCTCC CCCACTGCGG 650 CTACTCCATG GGGGCTGGCT CTGATGCCGA CATGGAGGCT G
  • Lys Asp lie Val Pro Gin Glu Ala Glu Glu Phe Cys Arg Thr Gly 65 70 75
  • Leu Asn Ser Asn lie Pro Leu Glu Thr Arg Asn Leu Gly Lys Gin 245 250 255 Pro Phe Leu Gly Thr Leu Gin Asp Asn Leu lie Glu Met Asp lie 260 265 270
  • Glu lie lie Thr Gly Met Pro Ala Ser Thr Glu Gly Ala Tyr Val
  • Lys Asp lie Val Pro Gin Glu Ala Glu Glu Phe Cys Arg Thr Gly 65 70 75

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